IE WORKERS' 
CONFERENCE 

How to Make It Go 



HENRIETTA HERON 




Hiss ~"B>V ) 5 2 > n 

Book .- ' - 5 

Copyright N° 



CCFflHGHT DEPOSIT. 



THE WORKERS' 
CONFERENCE 

How to Make It Go 

BY 

Henrietta Heron 




CINCINNATI 

THE STANDARD PUBLISHING COMPANY 



Copyright, 1921 
The Standard Publishing Company 



tf 6 



JUN -6 1921 



©CU614750 



I 



To 

the memory of 

MY MOTHER 

whose inspirational com- 
panionship made 
heavy tasks 
light 



"Use me, God, in thy great harvest-field, 

Which stretcheth far and wide like a wide sea; 
The gatherings are so few, I fear the precious 
yield will suffer loss. 
Oh, find a place for mel" 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Preface 7 

The Name 9 

What It Is _ _ 11 

Who Are Members 13 

Conference Officers 15 

Why Have It 16 

The Time _ 18 

The Place 20 

Advertising the Conference 21 

The Conference Supper 25 

The Program _ 28 

suggesttve program _ 3 1 

A Program Committee 32 

The Devotional Feature > 33 

The Business Feature 36 

Reports _ - - 38 

5 



CONTENTS 



Securing Written Reports _ 40 

Educational Feature 41 

Subjects for Conference .... 46 

Departmental Conferences > 50 

A Community Monthly Workers' Con- 
ference _ _ 52 

How to Make It Go "Peptomizers" 55 

Dangers to be Avoided 57 

What Others Think _ - 59 

How Plans Work When Tested _ 69 

Getting Results - .. 75 

A Convention Address _ 79 

The Workers' Library 89 

Appendix — 95 

"The Heart of the Sunday School"... 99 
Suggestive List of Books - ~ 137 



PREFACE 

THIS book has been prepared to meet 
a pressing need expressed by those 
who recognize the importance of the 
Workers ' Conference. All who have the 
interests of the church school at heart 
know that a Workers' Conference is an 
imperative necessity to successful work. 
"How to Make It Go" is the problem. 
The plans herein suggested have been 
tested out in the laboratory of experience. 
They are given in simple form and are 
adaptable to any school. Their wise and 
prayerful use will, we believe, not only 
give direction to the work, but will de- 
velop team-work spirit among the workers, 
and quicken them to spend themselves 
and be spent in His service. 
7 



PREFACE 



The workers in the church school are 
God's chosen ones. The influence of their 
faithfulness, their devotion, their never- 
tiring effort, their constant endeavor to 
know the best and to do the best they know 
is one of the great leavening forces of the 
world. This little book of practical sug- 
gestions is sent forth with a prayer that 
it may give needed help to these conse- 
crated workers and have some share in 
making them more efficient in their task 
of bringing the kingdom on earth. 

H. H. 



THE WORKERS' 
CONFERENCE 

HOW TO MAKE IT GO 

The Name 

The Workers' Conference is a new name 
applied to an old idea with new adapta- 
tions to the new conditions of the modern 
Sunday school. It is bringing about new 
and desired results. It is not many years 
ago that a Teachers' Meeting was a re- 
quirement for the standard Sunday school. 
The new standard requires a Workers' 
Conference. Just as the names Sunday 
school and Bible school are giving way to 
the term church school, with its more com- 
prehensive meaning and deeper signifi- 
cance and larger purpose, so the term 
9 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

"Teachers' Meeting" is being supplanted 
with the name "The Workers' Confer- 
ence." Just as the name church school 
covers all that is expressed in Sunday- 
school, or Bible school, and much more 



LOWING IDE 



The Wortenr' Conference Cor our Sundry 
and Teacher* o -A Growing Idea." Growing 
and Heapfainra* ConanuaDy. Thoat Who Once Attend 
Not Be Induced » Stay Away. 
Fail Amu) I 




because of the new understanding of the 
purpose and opportunity and responsibility 
of the school, so the term Workers' Con- 
ference covers all that was best in the 
old-fashioned Teachers' Meeting, as well 
as all the new meaning resulting from a 
larger understanding of what such a meet- 
ing can and should be. 
10 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

The Workers' Conference is essential 
to the success of any school. It is as 
necessary, and as workable, in the rural 
and small-town schools as in the large city 
schools. It is to the church school what 
the scientific kitchen is to the modern 
home, the place where good things are 
planned and skillfully prepared for building 
up the health and strength of the members 
of the household. It is simple in manage- 
ment and effective and far-reaching in 
results. It abundantly pays for the time 
and effort required to promote it. 

What It Is 

The Workers' Conference is a meeting 
of all the workers of the Sunday school 
for conference, study, fellowship and in- 
spiration. 

The conference is fundamentally what 
its name infers — a getting together of the 
11 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

workers to confer one with another on 
best plans of work for the school, and to 
consider its highest interests. The use of 
the Graded lessons has made antiquated or 
inadequate the " Teachers' Meeting" of 
former days. The larger plans of organi- 
zation and higher ideals of religious educa- 
tion have made imperatively necessary the 
"Workers' Conference." Here problems 
are presented and considered and a solu- 
tion sought. New plans of work are talked 
over. Failures are faced and the causes 
discovered. Successes are studied and the 
reasons found. Programs of action are 
formulated. It is a democratic meeting 
where each has a voice and a part. 

While the main emphasis is on the 
conference idea, yet the devotional, edu- 
cational and fellowship features are vitally 
important. Workers need constant train- 
ing to keep abreast of the times. They 
12 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

also need the incentive and inspiration to 
best effort and the challenge to faithful 
sustained effort, which contact with fellow- 
workers gives. The Workers' Conference 
brings the workers together under condi- 
tions that stimulate to study, quicken 
interest, cement friendships, enlarge visions, 
deepen responsibility, strengthen loyalty 
and give largest incentive to best work. 

Who Are Members 

Every official worker of the Sunday 
school is by virtue of his office a member 
of the Workers' Conference. Teachers and 
department superintendents, and all other 
officers, make up the personnel. The min- 
ister of the church is, of course, a recog- 
nized member of the Workers' Conference. 

The organized classes in the Young 
People's and Adult Divisions are wisely 
granted representation, in addition to their 
13 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 




The Key 

To the Sunday School Situation is Held 
by the Leaders. 

The Workers' Conference 

Opens the Door of Success for Our School. 
The Key Will Get Rusty and So Will 
the Lock if You Stay Away. 

Great Days Are Ahead 

We Must Go Forward. To Have 

at the Workers' Conference Means 

in Our School. 

Be Sure to Attend die Conference 



A.B.C No. TJ-Coprrlght. 1919 



Booster 

Post-card 

Used 

to 

Advertise 

the 

Workers' 

Conference 



teacher, the official "lay" representative 
being elected or appointed by the class. A 
Home Department class may also be given 
additional representation. Each class is gen- 
14 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

erally allowed one or two representatives, al- 
though in some schools the number of repre- 
sentatives is determined according to the size 
of the class. These "lay workers" bring 
new viewpoint, fresh enthusiasm and prac- 
tical ideas to the conference, and in turn 
receive an insight into the plans and pur- 
poses and problems of the school that en- 
courages them to work sympathetically 
and intelligently and helpfully with the 
others in promoting the school program. 

Conference Officers 

The conference is usually under the 
direction of, and presided over by, the school 
superintendent or the religious educational 
director. As leader, he seeks to serve 
rather than rule in autocratic manner. 

The secretary of the school usually acts 
as secretary of the conference, keeping 
accurate record of the proceedings of the 
2 15 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

meetings, and preserving them for future 
reference. 

Committees are appointed as needs pre- 
sent themselves. 

Why Have It 

The Workers' Conference gives all the 
official workers an opportunity to have a 
voice and a vote in the working plans of 
the school. 

It provides for a conference on school 
problems and plans of work. 

It offers opportunity for friendly fel- 
lowship among the workers, which inspires 
to best effort. 

It gives educational training. 

It brings into the work a spirit of de- 
votion and worship. 

It groups the workers for departmental 
conferences where specialized help is re- 
ceived. 

16 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

It cares for the major business details 
of school management in a businesslike 
way. 

It makes the school management dem- 
ocratic rather than autocratic. 

It develops a sense of ownership and 
responsibility on the part of each worker. 

It stimulates thought and generates 
new ideas through exchange of experiences. 

It gets at the root of any causes for dis- 
couragement, and thus does away with 
this handicap among the workers. 

It brings about a team-work spirit, 
where each worker feels his task, though 
small, is important to the success of the 
whole. 

It keeps the atmosphere " sunny/ ' 
doubts and misunderstandings being cleared 
away in the light of frank discussion. 

It gives intensified inspiration for self- 
forgetful service. 

17 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

The Time 

The Workers' Conference in most 
schools is held once a month, and this 
seems most practical for the average school. 
It is of utmost importance to have a "set 
night" for the conference, so that workers 
can plan attendance and can not well plead 
a previous engagement for non-attendance. 
Deciding upon the first Tuesday of the 
month, the last Thursday of the month, or 
such other time as proves most convenient 
to all concerned, will greatly aid in stimu- 
lating interest and in building up attend- 
ance. 

Many schools find it practical to meet 
for a fellowship supper, preceding the 
conference. This is especially true in large 
cities where workers find it convenient to 
come directly to the church from their 
offices. This not only saves time and car- 
fare and energy, but the supper proves an 
18 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

attractive social feature which encourages 
attendance. 

Some schools find it practical to hold 
the conference after the mid-week prayer- 
meeting. This somewhat limits the time, 
but, if it "works" well on that night, 
there is no objection to holding it then. 
In some cases the prayer-meeting takes 
the place of the devotional period of the 
conference. 

A few rural schools report successful 
conferences held on Sunday afternoon. A 
few may question whether it is ever advisable 
to hold a meeting, in which some business 
has to be transacted, on Sunday. The rural 
schools that are experimenting along this 
line find that it is the only time they can 
get their workers together, and thus feel 
justified in using the day in this way. 
One rural school holds its conference the 
first Sunday afternoon of each month, 
19 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

the workers bringing their dinners with 
them. They attend school and church in 
the morning, have dinner, followed by an 
afternoon of conference, and remain for 
the evening church service. 

The time will have to be decided by 
each school to meet its own local conditions, 
but every school may have "a set time," 
which is of utmost importance in promoting 
a successful conference. 

The Place 

The church parlor is the best place for 
holding the conference for the average 
school. There are distinct advantages in 
getting the workers together for confer- 
ence in the place where they carry on their 
work. 

Small schools find it more practical, 
however, to meet at the homes of the work- 
ers. If the workers take turns in enter- 
20 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

taining the conference, the work does not 
fall heavily on any one person. 

A few city schools hold their confer- 
ences " downtown. ' ' They secure a room 
at the "Y," or in a restaurant or hotel, 
and have the workers come directly from 
their offices to the selected place, the con- 
ference program being preceded by a 
supper. 

Advertising the Conference 

A regular night, strictly adhered to, is 
one of the best kinds of advertisement for 
the conference. This can be frequently 
referred to whenever opportunity presents 
itself. Other means of advertising may 
also be used with good results. The ad- 
vertising value of the program itself 
can not be overestimated. A post-card 
reminder of the time and place, with a 
" catchy* ' announcement of the special fea- 
21 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

ture of the program for the evening, helps 
to bring out a good attendance. If people 
are made to feel that something worth 
while is going to happen at a certain 
place, at a certain time, they are likely 
to make any effort to be there. 



% 



The Coaling Station 
and Water Tank of 
the Sunday School 



That's whai Out Wvrkm' Conference u — and til Teachers 
and Officers who do not Scop There, arr running a Fearful 
Rult of arriving a> Sunday School with brde Fur and leat Steam. 
Do not cnpple Yourself and the School 

Our next Conference -jill tx L f ,A 



Dov't let anything keep you stray 



Some schools write a personal letter 
to each worker each month, stating the 
subjects to be discussed and other at- 
tractive features. 

The school paper or the church pro- 
gram leaflet are good advertising mediums. 
A regular "corner" may be reserved for 
22 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

the Conference announcements and reports. 

The daily newspaper will carry an an- 
nouncement free of charge if prepared in 
accord with the paper's regulations re- 
garding free announcements. 

A notice may be kept posted on the 
church or school bulletin-board. 

The young people's classes in one 
school vied with one another in making a 
series of attractive posters to advertise 
the "Workers' Conference. These posters 
were made with colored pictures cut from 
magazines and papers, and were inexpen- 
sive and effective. 

The blackboard may be used for a 
special "ad" on the Sunday previous to 
the conference. 

The telephone is always a practical 
and effective means of letting others know 
and reminding would-be forgetters of the 
time and place. 

23 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

A printed conference supper ticket, 
put on sale a week previous to the confer- 
ence, is an excellent way of advertising. 
The ticket is a reminder of the date and 
place, and once purchased is likely to en- 
courage the purchaser to attend. 



r c 



Dinner Ticket 

Cnurcn Sckool Workers* Conference 



iference 



AT THE 

WALNUT HILLS CHRISTIAN CHURCH 



Dinner served at 6 45 P M 

■sa cs =a< : ii ic 11= i i ii , a cSL 



''Tell others" is a good advertising 
slogan for all workers. Each one is asked 
to be responsible for reminding some one 
else of the conference. 

A well-worked-out program schedule 
in printed form, pocket size, is an excel- 
lent means of keeping all informed of the 
24 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

good things provided, and of making them 
realize they will miss something if they do 
not attend. 

The work of advertising the conference 
should be in charge of a Publicity or 
Advertising Committee. 

The Conference Supper 

When the conference is preceded by a 
supper, the supper should not be expensive 
or elaborate, and should be prepared with 
as little trouble to the workers as possible. 
Various plans may be used. One school 
uses the committee plan, a different com- 
mittee preparing the supper each month. 
This gives variety in the menu and the 
work does not fall heavily on any group. 
This is probably the most practical plan 
for the average school. Another school 
pays one of the church women three dol- 
lars an evening for preparing the supper. 
25 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

This is paid out of the school treasury. 
Still another school has each person bring 
his own supper, hot coffee being served. 
Again, the different young people's classes 
take turns in acting as caterers for the 
occasion. 

The expense may be met in several 
ways. Care must be exercised that the 
supper is not made a money-making affair. 
The simplest plan is to have each one pay 
for his own supper, the price being kept 
down to actual cost. One school charges 
only twenty cents a plate, but serves a 
forty-cent supper, the difference being paid 
from the school treasury. Where the 
young people's classes act as caterers they 
should be privileged to do so only when 
the idea of service supersedes that of 
money-making. They will readily see how 
they can render a real service to the school 
in such ministry, and that it will be well 
26 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

worth while, even though they make no 
money for their class treasury. In very 
small schools, where the members take turns 
in entertaining the conference in their 
homes, the expense for light refreshments 
is usually borne by the hostess. As the 
turn does not come often, the expense is 
not heavy on any one person. When the 
conference is held at the "Y," or other 
public eating-place, each one pays for his 
own supper. 

The time for starting the supper should 
be set wisely, to meet the convenience of 
the majority of the workers, and should 
always be served promptly at the time 
advertised. 

A happy, social time at the table is 
usually spontaneous, but if there is the 
least tendency to dullness or coldness, a 
bit of fun and merriment may be injected 
by impromptu singing, occasional use of 
27 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



humorous place-cards, "changing part- 
ners" or such other simple ways as will 
suggest themselves to those in charge. 
Formality is to be avoided. Usually the 
friendliness of the workers is all that is 
necessary to make the hour a happy one. 

The Program 

The program for the Workers' Confer- 
ence determines to a large degree the suc- 
cess or failure of the meeting. "Every- 
thing depends upon the program" is a 
common expression used by the workers 
themselves when discussing problems con- 
nected with building up a successful con- 
ference. A live program will attract a 
large attendance. Since the program is a 
decidedly determining factor in the success 
of the conference, effort must be concen- 
trated in building one that is both attrac- 
tive and worth while. 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



Some Striking Things Will 
Be Brought Out 




WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

of the Sunday School 

at 

Date 



Time. 



Don't let anything keep YOU away. 

Sincerely. 



Card 
Used 

to 
Remind 

the 
Workers 
ol the 
Date 
of the 
Workers' 
Confer- 
ence 



The program will vary from month to 
month, and will probably not be the same 
in any two schools. But there will be gen- 
29 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

eral unanimity of outline of program. 
The important thing is to have a prepared 
program and to adhere to it. Beginning 
and closing on time is important, which 
means that the program must "run like 
clockwork/' This need not interfere with 
spontaneity nor with freedom of discus- 
sion; it simply means that the leader tact- 
fully keeps things in hand and sees to it 
that the program is carried out in a busi- 
nesslike manner. 

Variety is imperatively essential to suc- 
cess. The program must be kept fresh in 
details, even though the general outline is 
wisely followed. The theme changes from 
month to month, and in itself provides 
variety, but other new and attractive de- 
tails should also be added. 

A play, a magazine article review, a 
debate, a drill, a demonstration, various 
tests, an address, a book review — in these 
30 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

and other ways, needed variety can be in- 
troduced. 

A careful study of Workers' Confer- 
ence programs as outlined in various relig- 
ious educational periodicals will prove very 
valuable and will give new and seasonable 
material. 

Suggestive Program 

6:30-7:15 — Supper and visiting. 

7 :15-7 :25— Devotional. 

7:25-7:35 — Transaction of business. 

7 :35-7 :55 — Reports and recommendations of 
general school officers, depart- 
mental superintendents, commit- 
tees and organized class repre- 
sentatives. 

7:55-8:10 — Discussion of immediate school 
problems. 

8 : 10-8 :30— Presentation of the theme for 
the evening, followed by open 
discussion by members. 
3 31 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

8:30-9:00 — Special educational feature. 

Three-minute opinions by workers. 
9 :00-9 :30 — Departmental conferences. 

A Program Committee 

The importance of the program makes 
it advisable to utilize the best talent pos- 
sible in its preparation. The superintend- 
ent, or the religious educational director, 
of the school usually has general charge 
of the program. He secures best results 
through appointing a committee with whom 
to confer and plan. The judgment of 
several is likely to be better than that of 
one in selecting subjects for conference 
and deciding other program features. A 
logical order in presentation of themes, 
in accord with the seasonable needs of the 
school for each month, is to be decided 
upon, and is usually best worked out 
through several conferring together. Dif- 

32 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

ferent members of the committee may be 
made responsible for different features of 
the program, the leader, of course, keeping 
oversight, checking up on the work and 
seeing that formulated plans are carried 
out. 

The Devotional Feature 

The devotional feature of the Work- 
ers' Conference program has a fourfold 
purpose: to recognize God's presence and 
guidance, to bring the spirit of worship 
into the conference, to train the workers 
in expression of spiritual aspirations, and 
to prepare the hearts and minds to re- 
ceive the largest possible help from the 
conference. Care must be taken to keep 
the devotional period "alive with the 
Spirit." To let it degenerate into a 
mechanically performed routine service is 
demoralizing. This service can most easily 
33 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

be kept at its best by placing the respon- 
sibility for it upon different leaders, en- 
couraging each one to give his best to it. 
The service is usually most helpful to the 
extent it becomes co-operative, each one 
having a share. Ten minutes is generally 
considered long enough for this feature of 
the program. The leader should keep 
within the alotted time. 

A devotional theme is always helpful — 
the song, the Scripture lesson, the prayers 
and testimonies, all relating to the sug- 
gested theme. The theme may be season- 
able. The following list is merely sug- 
gestive : 

September. — A New Start. 

October. — Providential Care. 

November. — Thanksgiving and Thanks- 
living. 

December. — Christmas Joy. 

January. — In the Beginning God. 
34 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

February. — The Power of Prayer. 

March. — The Greatest Thing in the 
World. 

April. — The Grace of Happy-hearted- 
ness. 

May. — Faith and Works. 

June. — Tests of Discipleship. 

July. — Self-forgetful Service. 

August. — Jesus' Estimate of Faithful- 
ness. 

The devotional spirit may be developed 
in various ways. A few are here suggested: 

By singing a hymn together, with or 
without instrument. 

Bowing the head in silent prayer on a 
suggested subject for a given time. 

Calling the alphabet, members spon- 
taneously responding with a Bible verse 
beginning with each letter as called. 

Asking members to come prepared to 
respond to roll-call with a verse containing 
35 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

a certain word, or to give their favorite 
saying of Christ's. 

Having members give a Bible promise, 
or a Bible verse expressing a prayer. 

Asking for sentence prayers until a 
certain number have prayed. 

The devotional feature of the confer- 
ence, rightly conducted, creates an atmos- 
phere that puts the workers in best spirit 
for the discussion of problems. 

The Business Feature 

How much of the business of the school 
shall be transacted at the Workers' Con- 
ference? If it is not transacted here, 
how and where shall it be cared for? It 
seems to be the consensus of opinion of 
the workers who have had largest experi- 
ence in Workers' Conferences that there 
is great danger of the conference degener- 
ating into a long-drawn-out, tedious busi- 
36 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

ness session, and that this danger must be 
constantly and carefully guarded against. 

Every live school has business trans- 
actions, but these can be cared for expe- 
ditely. Some schools solve the problem by 
having an Advisory Council, or an Official 
Board, that transacts the detailed business 
of the school. Other schools appoint com- 
mittees who are given discretionary powers 
to dispose of routine items, reporting to 
the conference only those of major im- 
portance. 

The conference suggests, advises, recom- 
mends and votes, but the details are car- 
ried out by the council, or board, or com- 
mittees. 

Reports of business dealings are essen- 
tial at the Workers' Conference, but these 
need not be long drawn out. Those making 
reports should be cautioned to condense in- 
formation and to present it concisely. 
37 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

"Business" is not to be confused with 
"school problems." The term as here 
used refers to actual business transactions, 
ordering supplies, paying bills and similar 
items. Such business as may be essential 
to the conference should be transacted as 
promptly as possible to allow full time for 
the actual conference on school needs and 
problems and for the educational and 
social features of the program. 

Reports 

Reports are an essential feature of the 
"Workers' Conference program. Through 
them knowledge is brought before the 
workers of what is being done, what still 
needs to be done. 

Reports should be called for from the 
various officers and committees. The at- 
tendance secretary reports the increase or 
decrease in membership and attendance, 
38 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

which department has had the largest 
average attendance for the month, which 
has made the largest gain, and such other 
items as are of interest. The absentee 
superintendent reports the number of calls 
made, letters sent, phone messages and 
other important features of his work. 
Special committees tell of work accom- 
plished. Departments or classes may re- 
port "the best thing accomplished this 
month," or such other achievements as are 
unique and of general interest. 

Reports may be the dullest of program 
features or the most "peppy" and attrac- 
tive. It depends upon what has been 
done worthy of report and how it is told. 
A little instruction to the workers will help 
them to catch the spirit and inspire them 
to make their reports a real contribution. 

Those making reports should be instruc- 
ted to make them brief and to the pointy 
39 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

and as interesting as possible. Providing 
cards with questions for answers, simplifies 
the making out of reports and tends to 
eliminate unnecessary and uninteresting 
details, at the same time need not prevent 
originality on the part of the workers. 

Those making reports should be encour- 
aged to make recommendations for im- 
provements and progress. 

Securing Written Reports 

"Written reports are a valuable asset 
to any school. It is desirable to have all 
reports made to the Workers' Conference 
in written form. This tends to accuracy 
and conciseness. If written, reports can 
be filed, and thus contribute in the simplest 
and most effective way to the compiling 
of school history. The problem is how to 
get written reports. Five things aid in 
securing written reports: 
46 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

1. Notify the worker in plenty of time 
that a written report is desired. 

2. Provide a printed card for the filling 
in of the desired report. 

3. Give plenty of publicity to the re- 
port. 

4. Commend well-prepared reports. 

5. Keep the written reports on file. 

Educational Feature 

The educational feature of the confer- 
ence converts the conference for the time 
being into a training-school. Every worker 
needs to keep informed of progress being 
made in religious education, and needs him- 
self to be a student and a growing worker. 
This feature not only becomes a means of 
instruction, but also tends to inspire to 
further individual study and training. 

What shall the educational feature be? 
It will depend partly upon local school 
41 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

needs and upon available talent. This 
feature may be determined by the theme 
of the evening, or may be a continuous 
course of study. 

Many schools bring in a trained worker 
to present some practical phase of the 
work to the workers at each meeting. 
This may be in the form of an inspira- 
tional address, or may be an informal 
talk on "How we did it in our school." 
When an outside speaker is brought in, 
the subject assigned him should be in 
harmony with the conference theme. For 
example, if the main subject of the con- 
ference relates to building up membership, 
the speaker's subject should be in accord 
with this. 

A definite course of study may be 
adopted, books, or chapters of books, being 
studied at home and reviewed at the con- 
ference, or read and discussed together. 
42 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

It is important in choosing sueh a course 
to select that which will most practically 
meet local school needs, as well as enlarge 
the vision of the workers. If the workers 
adopt a course to be finished with the year, 
it will incite to home study. Considerable 
ground can be covered through the as- 
signment of books for study at home, to 
be reviewed at the conference. 

One of the most practical plans is the 
use of current religious educational liter- 
ature. Nearly all Sunday-school helps 
contain valuable method and inspirational 
articles. A worker can study and give a 
review of a magazine article, who perhaps 
could not give the time during the month 
to reading an entire book. New and sea- 
sonable material is given from month to 
month in these periodicals, and most of it 
is of a very practical character. Accounts 
of what other schools are doing are usually 

43 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

featured, and such accounts may be graph- 
ically retold at the conference in a way to 
afford real inspiration. The plan of hav- 
ing reviews of articles in current method 
helps is of special value to schools in 
smaller communities, where prominent 
speakers are not so readily available. The 
use of such seasonable material pro- 
vides a never-ending source of interesting 
variety. 

A demonstration of a lesson taught is 
always interesting, and is suggestive to 
workers in all departments. "How I 
Would Teach a Lesson to Beginners" 
could be given one evening, and on other 
evenings how to teach Primaries, Juniors, 
Young People and Adults. 

A debate on some educational theme 
will provide variety. 

Various kinds of drills may be used 
effectively. 

44 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

Convention reports may make up an 
interesting and helpful educational fea- 
ture, delegates being instructed before 
going to the convention that such reports 
will be called for. 

An experience meeting will prove prac- 
tical on some such subject as "My Great- 
est Problem as a Church-school Worker, 
and How I Solved It." 

In planning the program, it must ever 
be borne in mind that the main emphasis 
must be on the conference. No matter 
how attractive and interesting a program 
may be, if it fails to provide time for a 
conference on immediate and general school 
problems, it fails in its chief purpose. It 
is the conference period of the program 
that develops interest, brings about a 
spirit of co-operation and makes each 
worker feel that he or she has a real share 
in the real work of the school. 
45 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

Subjects for Conference 

The subjects for conference will be as 
varied as are school needs. There are 
some problems, however, that are com- 
mon to all schools and present themselves 
in new form each recurring season. In 
the autumn there is the problem of rally- 
ing the forces scattered during the vaca- 
tion season. Then comes the considera- 
tion of ways and means of celebrating 
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas, followed 
by formulation of plans for the New Year. 
The problem of equipment presents itself 
to all schools, as does that of grading. 
Building up membership and keeping up 
attendance are two ever-present problems. 
The conference gives all an opportunity 
to consider these and other questions of 
vital importance to the school welfare, to 
freely express their ideas, as well as to 
vote on such matters as call for vote and 
46 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

to delegate to committees for action such 
as require action. 

Subjects are not to be presented in 
haphazard fashion, but should be worked 
into a well-built-up program. 

A question-box, relating to various 
phases of the school work, can be made 
instructive and interesting, teachers bring- 
ing such questions for the box as they 
might not care to present personally. 

Printed leaflets are obtainable contain- 
ing lists of questions.* The plan is to 
place these leaflets in the hands of the 
workers, freedom to be exercised by the 
workers in calling by number for such 
questions as they desire to have discussed. 

Among subjects that are likely to need 
consideration in the Workers' Conference 
of the average school are: 

Bringing members to decision for Christ. 



*Leaflets can be secured from The Standard Publish- 
ing Company. 

4 47 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

Courses of lesson study. 

Celebrating special days. 

Providing more adequate equipment. 

Recognition of lesson work accom- 
plished, and promotion plans. 

Securing more classrooms. 

Building up a workers' library. 

Grading by age or school grade. 

Definite goals to be attained. 

How to build up our membership. 

Keeping the attendance close to the en- 
rollment. 

Redepartmentizing our school. 

Improving our school music. 

Developing the missionary spirit. 

Shall older classes be privileged to 
elect their own teacher? 

Securing punctuality. 

What substitute teacher plan can we 
adopt? 

Teaching ideals. 

48 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

Community needs which our school 
can meet. 

Introducing variety into the opening 
service. 

Financing school and training to give. 

Developing a Community Training- 
school for teachers. 

While the above and other subjects 
may be worked into a well-defined program, 
time should always be given for considera- 
tion of ''pressing problems" which any 
worker may present. The conference idea 
must be given first importance; the work- 
ers must be made to feel free to express 
their views. Upon the superintendent or 
leader rests the responsibility of carefully 
guiding the conference, so that too much 
time is not given to needless discussion or 
to subjects of secondary importance and of 
directing the conference to wisely planned 
action. 

49 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

Departmental Conferences 

Schools that are departmentized usually 
arrange for brief departmental confer- 
ences. These may be held either at the 
close of the general conference, or imme- 




Thraving Light on the Subject 

Thaf • what out Sunday School Worker*' Conference » doing Only 
* who are willing Co work away in the dark, will purpotely neglect it. 

The beat way to be a light to others ia Co keep id Che bgfai younelf 

Be eurc to attend the Conference __^___ 



diately following the devotional period, 
the groups reassembling for the general 
conference program. 

These Departmental Conferences are in 
charge of a leader, sometimes the depart- 
ment superintendent, or it may be one of 
the department teachers. The program 
50 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

varies. A few minutes are usually devoted 
to the consideration of such departmental 
problems as are not suitable to be brought 
up at the general conference. Sometimes 
recommendations are made to be submit- 
ted to the general conference. Where the 
graded lessons are in use, not much can 
be done in the way of helping the teach- 
ers with specific lessons, although in a gen- 
eral way help in teaching can be given. 
One teacher may give a demonstration of 
how she taught last Sunday's lesson, or 
expects to teach the one on the following 
Sunday. Questions as to how best to pre- 
sent difficult lesson truths may be brought 
up by the teachers for consideration. 

A study of a book of special help to 
the department workers is most practical. 
Books on methods may alternate with 
books on psychology. A chapter may be 
read and discussed at the conference, or 
51 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

chapters, read and studied at home accord- 
ing to assignment, may be reviewed. 

The Departmental Conference should 
be brief, with a well-defined program, and 
should close promptly at a given time. 

A Community Monthly Workers' 
Conference 

A Community Monthly Workers' Con- 
ference is being tried out with marked 
success in some communities, worked on 
plans similar to the local school conference. 
The plan has special advantages for schools 
in small towns. The fewness of workers in 
each school often makes it difficult to work 
up an enthusiastic meeting. It is also hard 
to provide needed variety and inspiration 
in the program where helpers are few. 
These two difficulties are overcome by 
having a community conference, by which 
the workers of all the schools in the com- 

52 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

munity are brought together once a month 
for conference and training and inspira- 
tion. This plan also tends to a unity of 
program of work for all the schools of the 
community as well as to concerted action 
regarding community needs. 

The program is similar to that carried 
out in the local school conference, and the 
plans suggested in this book for the indi- 
vidual school conference can be adapted 
and applied to the community conference. 

A supper is usually provided, both as 
a means of developing the social spirit and 
of getting the workers together on time. 

There are generally three groupings of 
the workers. First, the workers from each 
school get together to consider their own 
immediate school reports, problems and 
plans. Then the workers group according 
to the work in which they are engaged, 
the children's workers meeting in one 

53 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

group, the young people's workers in 
another, the adults in another and the ex- 
ecutives in another. In each of these 
groups definite training is given, with the 
conference idea always prominent. The 
review of a book, a demonstration of a les- 
son taught, a brief talk by some worker, 
open discussion of general problems, a 
course of study along some practical line, 
are also given consideration. The work- 
ers all come together at the close of the 
departmental conferences for a general 
inspirational address on the theme of the 
evening. 

In the community conference, as in the 
local school conference, success depends 
largely upon the kind of program offered. 
It must be outstandingly practical, must 
meet the needs as they exist, must give 
freedom for expression on the part of the 
workers and must provide features that 
54 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

are progressively educational. A well- 
worked-out program, one feature of which 
provides a consecutive course of training 
from month to month, with opportunity 
to discuss immediate problems and con- 
sider best ways of solving them, is the 
strongest attraction that can be offered. 
Only as the workers feel they are getting 
something well worth while will they at- 
tend. 

How to Make It Go "Peptomizers" 

Have a "set night" known as Work- 
ers' Conference night. 

Remind the workers frequently of the 
time and place and the feature of special 
interest. 

Arrange a fellowship supper in con- 
nection with the conference. 

Begin on time, close on time. 

Have a live, worth-while program. 
55 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

Advertise the meeting in such way that 
the workers will know they will miss some- 
thing helpful if they don't attend. 

Develop the "conference" idea, so that 
all will feel free to take part. 

Have special features that are of gen- 
eral interest and relate closely to school 
needs, and are progressively educational. 

Try to discover the needs of the work- 
ers, and to meet these in the conference. 

Encourage the workers to bring their 
problems to the conference. 

Keep discussions close to the subject 
and insist upon speakers being brief. 

Crystallize discussions into definite plans 
of action. 

Introduce variety into every session. 

Consider only business items of major 
importance, delegating lesser ones to com- 
mittees with discretionary powers to act. 
56 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

Make the conference a subject of reg- 
ular prayer. 

Dangers to Be Avoided 

Long-drawn-out business sessions. 

Too lengthy discussions of problems. 

A "scattered" rather than a "con- 
centrated ' ' discussion. 

Having no well-defined program. 

Too much time devoted to unimportant 
questions. 

Lack of promptness in beginning and 
closing. 

Autocratic leadership, 
romoting a program rather than con- 
ducting a conference. 

Haphazard time of meeting. 

Indefiniteness in advertising time and 
place and program. 

Failure to recognize "the power of the 
Spirit" as more important than organiza- 
tion. 

57 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



WHAT OTHERS THINK 

A list of eight questions regarding the 
Workers 7 Conference was submitted to a 
group of successful Sunday-school workers. 
Their answers have been condensed and 
summarized. Where but one answer is 
given to a question, it indicates a unani- 
mous opinion. 

Question One 

How often should the Workers 7 Confer- 
ence he held? 

"At least monthly. " 

Question Two 
Is it advisable for the lay members of 
the organized classes of the Young People's 
and Adult Divisions to be given represen- 
tation? 

59 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

"Yes, by all means, in view of school 
backing and future leadership. ' ' 
Question Three 

Bo you approve of a supper in con- 
nection with the conference? 

"Yes." 

"We find it the most practical way to 
get a good attendance." 

"By all means." 

Question Four 

What do yon consider the strongest 
arguments for a Workers' Conference? 

"School must have it to inspire and 
educate workers as to the school needs and 
how the various needs must be met." 

"Gives regular systematic time for con- 
sidering the interests of the school." 

"Creates good feeling among all the 
workers. ' ' 

"Gives an opportunity for each depart- 
ment to know what the others are doing." 
60 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

"Biggest thing is that it keeps the school 
going on — without it many schools would 
not have the vitality to survive — it is the 
one source of regular inspiration the teacher 
has in addition to her Sunday morning 
class and the 'few kind words' of the 
superintendent. ' ' 

"The intellectual stimulus that comes 
from comparing and considering ideas and 
plans. ' ' 

"The inspiration that comes from the 
sense of mutual partnership in the school's 
affairs — the invaluable consciousness that 
this is 'our school/ or even 'my school.' " 

"The need that each officer and teacher 
sees the school whole, sees beyond the hori- 
zon of his own class or department. ' ' 

"The value of social association with 
other workers." 

"Furnishes opportunity to talk over 
and solve problems." 
61 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

" Creates spirit of fellowship in school's 
leadership. ' ' 

"It's good, efficient business sense." 

1 ' Stimulates endeavor. ' ' 

"Promotes unity of procedure; begets 
co-operation. ' ' 

"Brings about mutual understanding 
among workers." 

"If properly operated, rivets the atten- 
tion of the teachers on their work, instructs 
them in the detail of class management, 
and develops in them a spirit of interest, 
loyalty and constancy." 

Question Five 

What dangers are to be avoided in the 
Workers' Conference? 

"Avoid long-drawn-out business ses- 
sions. Matters of business should be re- 
ferred to a Board of Education of the local 
school for consideration and action, and 
eliminated from Workers' Conference." 
62 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

"Long, dry speeches. Hobby riders. 
People with chips on their shoulders. In- 
dividual boasting — about class work, what 
he has done in other fields, his or her pop- 
ularity as indicated by demands for outside 
service, etc." 

"Koutine program. It gets conference 
into rut." 

"Too much routine business/ ' 

"Too much theorizing. Not enough 
definite action. If it's all 'talk,' workers 
get tired of it." 

"That it gets too intellectual, 'over the 
heads' of the workers. It should have bear- 
ing on existing school problems." 

"That it degenerate to a mere social 
gathering. ' ' 

"That it attempt to handle all the 
business details of the school." 

"That it be given the impression that 
it can discuss all it may choose to, but can 
5 63 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

decide nothing. It should feel that its 
voice has weight." 

"Lack of plan, so that program drags 
out interminably." 

"That the plans made are not carried 
through to completion." 

"That it degenerates into a monoto- 
nous business meeting." 

"That it becomes simply an audience 
for speakers — good though the speakers 
may be." 

"Having the conference run by one or 
two instead of making it a co-operative 
affair, all having a voice and vote." 

"That it wastes too much time haggling 
over and regretting lack of finance. Du- 
plex-envelope system eliminates this dan- 
ger." 

"That it become a forum for selecting 
people to run the special days." 

' ' Unprepared programs. ' ' 
64 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

1 ' Long-drawn-out sessions. ' ' 

"Too much 'speechifying,' not enough 
conference. ' ' 

"Depriving workers of the privilege 
to vote on questions brought up." 
Question Six 

What is the strongest "pull" of the 
Workers' Conference'? That is, what makes 
the strongest appeal to you to attend? 

"A spicy, quick-action program." 

"The interest in the solution of the 
problems of the school, particularly the 
immediate and pressing problems." 

"I want to get the viewpoint of the 
other workers." 

"Social part, if there were one appeal 
stronger than the other; that, however, is 
because of my daily job, and is, I think, 
peculiar to me." 

"The strongest pull, I think, is for each 
worker to feel that he can contribute some- 
65 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

thing to the conference, something more 
than a mere report of what he has done." 

" Sociability, special educational ad- 
dresses by men and women who know things, 
and strong conference discussion spirit.' ' 

"The privilege of talking over with 
other workers our problems and working 
out plans for solving them and for gen- 
erally improving the school.' ' 
Question Seven 

Which feature ought to he most stressed 
in the Workers' Conference? The supper, 
the special feature, entertainment, devo- 
tional, business, the conference idea, social, 
or just what? 

"The conference idea, and particularly 
the consideration of problems requiring 
immediate attention. Above all things, it 
should be made clear that the conference 
is practical, that it is doing something defi- 
nite and something that needs to be done." 
66 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

"The conference idea, special talks fol- 
lowed by open discussion/' 

"All are important. However, I should 
stress the conference idea." 

"A balanced combination of the social 
and plans for future. Where a supper is 
served this is sufficient emphasis on the 
social. The leadesr will naturally empha- 
size the real purpose of the conference, 
but those less interested will be attracted 
by means of the supper.' 7 

"There should be balance to the pro- 
gram. ' ' 

"Sharing our problems with others 
and having the benefit of their experience 
and judgment in solving them." 
Question Eight 

What ways have you used to secure a 
large attendance f 

"We find that a live program always 
brings out a fine attendance." 
67 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

"We use Booster post-cards to remind 
our workers of the date and place/ ' 

"Nothing does the work like a well- 
advertised, attractive program." 

"We sell supper tickets a week in ad- 
vance, which, we believe, helps greatly." 

"The conference supper helps to bring 
our workers together, saving them from 
going home after work." 

"We keep the date and special feature 
of the program posted on the school bul- 
letin-board. ' ' 

"We let workers know the main subjects 
which will be up for vote, and, appreciat- 
ing the value of voting, they make special 
effort to be there." 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



HOW PLANS WORK WHEN TESTED 

Developing Team-work 

The superintendent, Dr. John E. Gurley, 
of the West Side Christian Church school of 
San Francisco, Calif., writes the following 
interesting description of how the Workers' 
Conference "works" in their school: 

1. Our Workers' Conference is held 
regularly on the first Tuesday evening of 
each month — absolutely nothing is allowed 
to interfere with it. 

2. Attendance is 100 per cent, nearly 
every time — never more than two or three 
out of twenty-eight absent, and rarely that, 
and there are always enough interested 
visitors present to make up that loss. 

69 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

3. The teacher-training class is all but 
required to attend, thus this part of their 
work becomes automatic — they come to 
realize that accepting a call as teacher in- 
cludes attendance at monthly conference. 

4. Membership is built up and interest 
maintained by keeping all hands so busy 
doing something that they do not have 
time nor desire to quit, as well as by the 
following definite plans: 

(a) Departmental conferences — each 
teacher is definitely shown his or her re- 
sponsibility, and the superintendent strives 
for co-operative effort. 

(b) All teachers and officers are taken 
into full confidence in all matters that can 
be handled thus publicly — hence the school 
belongs to us all. No one works merely to 
please some one person. The superintend- 
ent does not say "go and do that," but 
rather, "come on, let's do this." 

70 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

(c) Round Robin Letters — clippings 
pertaining to the work are sent out nearly 
every week, pasted to a complete list of 
names and addresses of teachers and offi- 
cers, with a request for the receiver to 
read the clippings and forward them to the 
next name below. 

(d) Each Sunday the superintendent 
having already read the story-paper for 
that day, calls attention to certain articles, 
requesting that they be read by all. These 
are also sometimes discussed at the confer- 
ence. 

(e) The place of the teacher is con- 
stantly exalted. 

(f) As the superintendent works, so 
will, and does, every one else. 

5. Dinner is served at 6:30, thus pro- 
viding a delightful social hour preceding 
the conference. 

6. The program is divided as follows: 

71 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

(1) Looking backward: 

a. Teachers' reports. (A card is pro- 
vided for written report. This induces 
each teacher to make a good report on each 
item, hence constant improvement is 
noted. ) 

b. Departmental superintendent's re- 
port. 

c. General superintendent's report. 

d. Pastor's report. 

e. Discussion of reports. 

(2) The present: 

a. Unfinished business. 

b. New business. 

c. Discussion of work. 

(3) The future: 

a. Future plans. 

b. Discussion of same. 

c. Inspirational talk. 

(4) Adjournment to departmental con- 
ferences: 

72 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

a. Children's Division. 
(a) Cradle Roll. 
(&) Beginners. 

(c) Primary. 

(d) Juniors. 

b. Young People's Division. 

(a) Intermediates. 

(b) Seniors. 

(c) Young People. 

c. Adult Division. 

(a) Adult Department. 

(b) Home Department. 

(c) General church work, or occa- 
sionally the Official Board meets, having 
sat at dinner and through our meeting. 

Of course, in the very beginning we 
have had read the minutes of the last 
meeting, followed by roll-call, at which 
time all reports are made. 

Sometimes we merely call for the re- 
port cards, omitting the reading, and de- 

73 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

vote that time to discussion of some timely 
article. At one meeting the following ar- 
ticles, read by as many different persons, 
were reviewed and discussed. 

1. Trained Leadership in the Bible 
School. 

2. Why Continue to Teach. 

3. Reality in Teaching. 

4. The Teacher's Reading. 

This was followed by the superintend- 
ent's presentation of a plan of organization, 
in which he laid special emphasis on the 
value of organization, and showed the 
very definite place of every one. Organ- 
ization is important, but by no means the 
most important — consecration and devotion 
must ever hold first place; a good organ- 
ization merely helps to "put it over," it 
makes the work easier. 

This was discussed, after which the 
pastor spoke briefly on another article, 
74 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

"Extending the Lines," or the Extension 
Department. 

Special emphasis is given to the work 
of the Home, Cradle Eoll and Absentee 
Departments. This keeps many people 
busy, and busy people are bound to be- 
come interested and get results. 

Getting Results 

The Indiana Avenue Christian Church 
School of South Bend, Ind., a school with 
an enrollment of about 350, holds its 
"Workers' Conference regularly each month 
on the third Monday evening. C. H. Kry- 
der, the superintendent, gives the follow- 
ing description of how the school makes the 
conference "go": 

While our program varies somewhat, 
it usually runs along about as follows: 

7:00 Supper and fellowship period. 

7:45 Departmental conferences. 
75 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



8 



00 Devotional period. 



8:15 Business period. 

8:45 Educational period. 

We have found that by beginning our 
meeting with a supper we are able 
to have a much larger attendance, and it 
enables us to do more in an evening and 
adjourn at an early hour. The superin- 
tendent appoints three ladies, who are not 
teachers or officers of the school, as a com- 
mittee to arrange the supper. This com- 
mittee assigns each worker certain articles 
to bring prepared for the supper. Very few 
of our workers are ever absent, and those 
that are absent have reasons which are 
usually beyond their control; in fact, they 
all look forward with keen interest to the 
conference, and we have no difficulty in 
maintaining interest. We always have a 
program that is worth while. We find this 
is the greatest incentive to attendance. 
76 






THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

Immediately after the supper we begin 
our departmental conferences. The teach- 
ers are divided by departments and meet 
in separate rooms with their department 
superintendent to discuss their own par- 
ticular work. This works fine, as it com- 
pels the department superintendents to 
plan the work ahead in order to have some- 
thing to present to the teachers, and it also 
proves an inducement for the department 
superintendents to see that their teachers 
are present at the conference. A few days 
previous to the Workers' Conference the 
general superintendent meets with the de- 
partment superintendents, pastor and gen- 
eral secretary to plan the work. 

We would not care to hold a conference 
without a devotional period, as it is a great 
help to the program which follows. 

Our business period is usually short. 
We have the secretary's and treasurer's 
77 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

^ — — < 

reports, committee reports, department re- 
ports and other general business matters. 
All business matters are usually threshed 
out at the meeting of the superintendents, 
and "boiled down" before presented before 
the Workers' Conference, therefore mak- 
ing it unnecessary for long discussions at 
the conference. 

During the educational period we fre- 
quently take up some special subject out- 
lined in a religious educational periodical. 
At our last conference one of our teach- 
ers gave a talk on "Planks in the Teach- 
er's Platform," taken from a magazine 
article by Margaret Slattery. Following 
the talks, the subject is freely discussed. 

The writer does not understand how 
any school can do satisfactory work with- 
out the Workers' Conference. The results 
obtained abundantly pay for all the time 
and effort put forth to promote it. 

78 






THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



A CONVENTION ADDRESS 

[Address given by Prof. J. A. Garber, at the Ohio 
State Sunday School Convention. This outline state- 
ment represents the speaker's analytical study of the 
subject and does not include his apt illustrations.] 

The assigned subject, "The Monthly 
Workers' Conference," seems to have been 
thoughtfully worded. The words employed 
suggest certain points worthy of observa- 
tion and emphasis. 

Time. — In some schools council meetings 
are held annually; others, semi-annually; 
others, quarterly; but in the well-organized 
school the workers meet monthly for 
consultation and deliberation. To meet 
less frequently is to deprive the council of 
sufficient time. To meet more frequently 
is to incur the displeasure of the members 
6 79 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



who feel the burden of numerous meetings. 
Monthly meetings are most advisable and 
most feasible. 

Personnel.— Let us remind ourselves 
that the conference is not the business 
committee of the Sunday school, nor is it 
the Official Board of the Sunday school, 
nor is it the chief officers of the Sunday 
school It is the workers' conference, and 
oil the ivorkers are included; viz., the min- 
ister educational director, superintendents, 
principals, teachers, secretaries, treas- 
urers leaders of music, librarians, ushers. 
Class presidents or some representative of 
the older organized classes may attend on 
invitation. In the case of the large school 
with many officers the list may appear to 
be too inclusive. If one fears an unwieldly 
mass among so many, the apparent disad- 
vantage will be offset with the opportunity 
to foster unified thinking among the 
80 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

larger group. With a wise general in 
charge the difficulty vanishes. 

Conference. — The conference, therefore, 
consists of selected workers who meet 
monthly to take counsel one with the other, 
which will issue in deliberate purpose and 
represent the collective judgment of the 
assembly. Jointly these regularly assem- 
bled councilors consider the ''Stop, Look 
and Listen" signals which have come 
within the scope of their vision during the 
month. Unitedly they assume the role of 
specialists, diagnosing conditions prevail- 
ing in their charge and prescribing both 
corrective, preventive and promotive 
formulas. 

If those who constitute the official family 
of the Sunday school do not do some defi- 
nite, careful and thorough thinking and 
planning, there will be none done in the 
Sunday school. And if the school is going 
81 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

along haphazardly, indifferently, wanting 
in efficiency, in thoroughness, it is largely 
because those who are charged with official 
responsibility are not meeting their respon- 
sibilities. With these monthly meetings 
the members of the conference have the 
opportunity of doing the kind of necessary 
thinking and planning. Charged with of- 
ficial responsibility, they begin to diagnose 
conditions, month by month, and take into 
account all conditions prevailing in the 
school, whether favorable or unfavorable. 
If unfavorable, steps are taken to correct 
the conditions. If favorable, plans are 
laid to accomplish still better work. 

Program. — A carefully prepared pro- 
gram will give relish and reach, pull and 
push, direction and decision. Without 
some guiding agenda, to be closely followed 
as the order of the day, the meeting may 
degenerate into inane talking and fruit- 

82 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

less discussion, the participants departing 
while floundering in the mire of discourage- 
ment or sinking in the slough of despond. 
Business should be reduced to a minimiur 
through assignment to the several com- 
mittees to whom will be given discretionary- 
power to dispose of routine items, report- 
ing to the council only matters of major 
importance. The conference is not for the 
purpose of transacting a lot of tedious 
detail business, and to dissipate time and 
energy in this way is most harmful. Cer- 
tain points of school administration may 
be committed to the departmental confer- 
ences which follow the general session. In 
addition to business, provision should be 
made for a devotional period which will 
deepen religious purposes and the study 
of some timely topic which will strengthen 
educational ideals. Certain outstanding 
characteristics of the program are: 
83 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

1. Vital, yet visioned. 

2. Comprehensive and continuous. 

3. Proportionate and progressive. 

4. Variable, yet seasonable. 
Illustrative of these points, observe the 

following suggestive program used by one 
school for one year. Note the monthly 
theme and sub-topics in each instance. 
September. — Recovering and Rebuilding. 

1. Rallying our Forces. 

2. Working Policies and Standards. 
October. — Religious Education of Child- 
hood and Youth. 

1. Their Religious Educational Needs. 

2. The Ministry of the Home. 

3. The Function and Aims of the Church 
School. 

November. — Cultivatmg Worshipful At- 
titudes. 

1. Worship, Its Meaning and Cultiva- 
tion. 

84 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

2. Thanksgiving and Thanksliving. 
December. — Developing Stewardship 
Ideals. 

1. Giving of Self, Substance and Ser- 
vice. 

2. How Christ May Be Born Anew in 
Each of Us. 

January. — Measuring Ourselves and Our 
Work. 

1. Good Tests for Officers and Teachers. 

2. Our Work Measured by Approved 
Standards. 

February. — Creating Missionary Enthu- 
siasm. 

1. The Church School and Missions. 

2. How Create the Missionary Spirit. 
March. — Preparing for Evangelistic In- 
gathering. 

1. A Study of Spiritual Awakening and 
Conversion. 

2. Bringing our Class Members to Christ. 

85 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

April. — Improving School Music. 

1. Music as a Medium of Worship. 

2. The Kind of Songs We Ought to 
Teach. 

May. — Evaluating Special Days and 
Programs. 

1. Their Purpose and Educational 
Worth. 

2. Children's Day, Fourth of July, 
Temperance Sunday. 

June. — Making Ready for Vacation 
Months. 

1. Opportunities for Self and Profes- 
sional Development. 

2. Providing Substitute Workers. 
July. — Summer-time Planning. 

1. The Summer Contest 

2. Hot Weather Attendance plans. 
August. — Vacation Days. 

1. The Annual School Picnic. 

2. Keeping in Touch with Vacationites. 

86 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

Advantages. — Few of us can imagine 
all the advantages accruing from such a 
carefully prepared and faithfully observed 
program. Negatively, it will keep the 
school out of unseemly ruts, prevent work- 
ing at cross-purposes and minimize indi- 
vidualism. Positively, it will add fresh- 
ness, make the cherished ideal of leaders 
common property of the group and foster 
team-work. It will promote unity and 
continuity, harmony and efficiency. It will 
free the school of a legion of pedagogical 
blunders and enable it to enter the prom- 
ised land of achievement, 



87 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



THE WORKERS' LIBRARY 

A Workers' Library is a valuable asset 
to any school, and through the Workers' 
Conference may be made of practical 
value to the workers. 

There was never a time in the history 
of the Sunday school when so many excel- 
lent books were available for every worker 
in the school. The best of methods, tried 
out in the laboratory of experience, are 
now in book form, and no worker is doing 
full justice to his work until he has made 
himself familiar with the best in religious 
educational literature. The Workers' 
Library brings the books needed for best 
work within reach of the worker. 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

A Workers' Library can be built up 
gradually. It is not necessary to wait 
until a large number of books can be ob- 



Worker's Library 

WALNUT HILLS CHRISTIAN 
CHUBCH.SCHOOL 

ONONNAn 




«~i br 


o_ uu 






■frr.Vr'rt— :* 


4»MA. 11-11 








































tained. The library can be started with 
half a dozen books, or even less. The im- 
portant thing is to get one started and to 
90 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



Worker's Library 

WALNUT HILLS CHRISTIAN 
CHURCH-SCHOOL 

CINCINNATI 




Read by 


Date finished 


1 
2 
3 
4 
3 
6 


























7 






8 






9 






10 
11 
12 















keep in circulation such books as comprises 
it, though they be but few. 
91 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

Various plans may be used to interest 
the workers in reading such books as are 
necessary to a larger understanding of 
their work. 

One school has prepared a label provid- 
ing for the signatures of twelve names. A 
label is pasted on the inside cover of every 
book in the Workers' Library. Each reader 
is asked to sign his name on the label and 
the date when the reading was begun and 
also finished. Another school encourages 
the readers of the books to prepare brief 
reviews, offering a reward in the form of 
a book to any one handing in five reviews. 
Still another has a prepared set of ques- 
tions, which each reader is asked to an- 
swer in connection with the book read. 
The plan of studying and reviewing new 
method books at the Workers' Conference 
is an excellent means of stimulating study 
and developing interest. 
92 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

Another plan is to call for reports at 
the Workers' Conference of the number 
of books read by the workers during the 
month, and honor recognition accorded. 

The right kind of librarian will prove 
a valuable aid in building up the Work- 
ers' Library and in encouraging workers 
to make good use of it. 



"Thy will to do, Thy work to make 
More forceful on this fallen earth; 

Thy love in some lone heart to leave; 

Thy word to give where spirits grieve; 
To teach a downcast soul its worth; 

Into some fettered soul to take 

Thy freeing power; for some one's sake 
To give of self as Thou didst give — 
For such a mission let me live ! ' ' 



03 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



Two Workers 

"I am working for God," ho said; 
And proudly he lifted his head. 
< ' There is much to do 
In this world of sin; 
The workers are few; 
It is late to begin; 
But we who are willing must fill each hour 
With our deeds of valor and words of power 
As we work for God." 

il l would work with God," he said, 
And humbly he bowed his head. 
1 ' I must quiet be 

Before His throne 
Till His will for me 
Is fully known. 
For the plan is His, and His the power; 
I need but to follow Him hour by hour 
As I work with God." 

— May Field McKean. 



94 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



APPENDIX 

A WORKERS' CONFERENCE DEMON- 
STRATION 

One of the most effective methods of creating 
interest and enthusiasm in any phase of Sunday- 
school work is by means of a demonstration, show- 
ing "just how to do it.'' The following demon- 
stration of a ** working' ' Workers' Conference, en- 
titled "The Heart of the Sunday School," was 
prepared by Paul B. Bains, and has been used 
effectively to show how helpful a rightly conducted 
Workers' Conference can be. The demonstration is 
suitable for presentation at any gathering of Sun- 
day-school workers. 

"The Heart of the Sunday School" was written 
in response to a long-felt need for a plan to visual 
ize the better methods of the modern church school. 
In reproducing an average Workers' Conference in 
Act I., there has been no intention to burlesque 
the situation; neither has there been any effort 
to provide light entertainment in any succeeding 
scene. The entire demonstration, however, has proven 
intensely interesting and helpful to hundreds of 
Bible-school workers who have either witnessed it 
or taken part in it. 

7 95 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

When presenting the demonstration, it would be 
well to have printed programs, presenting the cast, 
the acts and scenes, indicating what co-operation is 
expected of the audience. It will lend interest to the 
program if an orchestra can be secured to provide 
overtures, and to accompany the songs forming a 
part of Acts II. and III. 

The entire program should not take longer than 
one hour and a quarter. The demonstration has- 
been prepared to help train the players in the tasks 
of the various Bible-school workers, as well as to 
instruct and entertain those who may constitute an 
audience. Parts should be assigned well in advance, 
and the demonstration rehearsed before presenting 
to the public. Each one taking part should put as 
much life and enthusiasm into the part as possible. 

The demonstration can be shortened, if desired, by 
carefully omitting or cutting down certain parts? 
which will not materially affect the general plan. 
Certain local touches may be introduced, if desired, 
to give reality to the demonstration. 

An efficiently conducted Workers' Conference will 
mean more to the success of the church school than 
any other one thing. It has been variously desig- 
nated as the " water-tank, ' ' " coaling station," 
11 dynamo' ' and "heart" of the school. It cer- 
tainly can be made to be the organ by which church- 
Bchool workers might come, 

96 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

Fvrst, into a vital personal relationship with God. 

Secondly, into co-operative fellowship with one 
another in Christian service. 

Thirdly, into fuller knowledge of the most ap- 
proved educational methods. 

Copies of "The Heart of the Sunday School,' » 
in leaflet form, can be secured from the Northern 
District Bible School Office, 2605 Harney St., Oma- 
ha, Neb., at 25 cents per copy, $2.25 per dozen, 
$15 per hundred, 



97 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



"THE HEART OF THE SUNDAY 
SCHOOL" 

(The Workers' Conference Is the Heart of the 
Sunday School.) 

CHARACTERS 

1. Bro. Modern Enterprise New Pastor 

2. Mr. Isur Doolittle General Supt. 

3. Mr. Steady Progress New Supt. of Instruction 

4. Mr. Abel Leader Chorister 

5. Mrs. John Longnecker, 

Hostess (Intermediate Teacher) 

6. Mr. John Longnecker, 

Host (Women's Class Teacher) 

7. Miss Laura June Primary Teacher 

8. Mrs. I. M. Pessimus. Junior Teacher 

9. Mr. District Goforth Bible -school Specialist 

10. Mrs. Putnam Down General Sec'y 

11. Mr. Careful Eecords New Eecording Sec'y 

12. Mr. A. Bundant Zollars New Financial Sec'y 

13. Miss. S. S. Grades, 

Absentee Supt. (Classification Sec'y) 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



14. Mr. Hugh Vision, 

Perspective (or Extension) Supt. 

15 Mrs. Christian Messenger Missionary Supt. 

16. Mr. Tend Toit Attendance Secretary 

ACTS 

ACT I.— HEART TROUBLE. 

Workers' Conference in the Longnecker home — 
THE WRONG WAY. 
ACT II.— BUILDING UP THE SYSTEM. 

Scene 1 — (Prescription) Visit of Sunday-school 
Specialist, following Rally Day. 

Scene 2 — (Taking the Medicine) A worth-while 
Workers' Conference six months later— THE RIGHT 
WAY. 

ACT III.— RECUPERATED AND ON THE AC- 
TIVE LIST. 

Opening services of one of the departments of 
the church school one year later — MODEL PRO- 
GRAM. 

ACT I.— HEART TROUBLE 
Scene 1 

Workers' Conference in Longnecker home — THE 
WRONG WAY. 

Furnishings 

Represent parlor of a home with a few dining- 
room chairs in addition to customary furniture. 
100 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



Time 

A Tuesday evening, ten days after the regular 
time. This scene should not take more than about 
twenty minutes. 

(Host seated at library table, reading paper. En- 
ter Hostess, with an inquiring attitude.) 

Mrs. Longnecker — I declare, John, I wish I knew 
how many were coming to-night. I just bought one 
quart of ice-cream; that may not be enough, but I 
didn't want to buy more than we needed. 

Mr. Longnecker — If there is any left over, we 
can eat it, I suppose. You needn't worry about not 
having enough. There won't be more than a hand- 
ful out. I sometimes wonder if these meetings do 
any good; few ever come, and, as far as I can 
see, there isn't much to show for it in the Sunday 
school. 

Mrs. L. — But we can 't talk about that now. They 
are supposed to meet here to-night. Anyhow, we 
could do more if Bro. Enterprise would spend more 
time on his sermons, than running around trying 
to scare up new-fangled schemes which won't work. 
But he is young yet; maybe he will live long enough 
to learn how to build up a church like old Bro. 
Eoberts, Martin, Porter, and men like those, who 
knew how to preach. They didn't have to have 
parties and socials and this and that — and, too, 
think of it! my girls have gotten the same notion 
in their heads. Sunday they were talking about a 
101 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

class "hike"! Well, we will just wait and see 
what this all will come to. 

(Door bell rings.) 

Mrs. L. — There goes the bell; they are here al- 
ready, and I still have my apron on. (She hur- 
ries into the adjoining room, while Mr. Longnecker 
opens the door.) 

(Enter Mrs. I. M. Pessimus.) 

Mrs. Pessimus — Good evening, Mr. Longnecker. 

Mr. L. — Good evening, Mrs. Pessimus. 

(Enter Mrs. Longnecker.) 

Mrs. L. — Howdy do, Mrs. Pessimus f Come right 
in here and take off your wraps. (Walk into room, 
talking as they go. Mr. L. returns to his newspaper. 
After a moment the ladies return to the parlor, and 
talk as they take their seats.) 

Mrs. P. — Don't expect there will be many out 
to-night, do you? 

Mrs. L. — No, I guess not; the last time the meet- 
ing was held here, only a few came. 

Mrs. P. — Seems too bad we can't get folks out. 
People nowadays are interested in everything else 
but church work. Now, when I was a girl, nearly 
everybody went to church. If people would only do 
their duty! 

Mrs. L. — There is so much going on that I felt 
it would hardly be worth while having a meeting; 
but Bro. Enterprise thought we should not postpone 
it any longer. 

102 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

(Door bell rings. Mrs. L. answers, while the other 
two chat.) 

(Enter Miss June.) 

Miss June — Hello, are we all here? 

Mrs. P. — Everybody but the preacher, Mrs. Put- 
ram Down, Mr. Doolittle, Bro. Morris and a few 
others. 

Miss June — It is not quite time to begin. We 
can give them nearly five minutes yet. Some of 
them, at least, will surely be here. 

(Conversation on current events. After a mo- 
ment the door bell rings; Mrs. Longneeker answers.) 

(Enter Mrs. Down.) 

Mrs. Down — Hello, everybody (glancing at clock) ! 
Well, I just did get here in time. Where are the 
rest of the folks? 

Mrs. P. — Likely they forgot about it. 

Mrs. L. — Did you forget your book? 

Mrs. D. — No; but since I didn't receive any min- 
utes of the last meeting, I didn't; think it would be 
necessary to bring it. (Leaves room to remove 
wraps, chatting the while with Mrs. Longneeker, 
then re-enters parlor.) 

Mrs. D. — Who took the minutes of the last meet- 
ing? 

Mrs. P. — Miss Merrill took them down, and I 
guess she won't be here to-night. School-teachers 
are busy people, you know. It's too bad you weren 't 
here yourself. 

103 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

Mrs. D. — Let me see — what was it? Oh, yes, 
Mr. Down came home that evening, and, since he 
is out on the road so much, I felt that my duty 
was at home. I am sorry I did not know who had 
the minutes. 

Miss June — We are glad that you could come to- 
night, anyway. 

Mrs. P. — It is ten minutes past eight, and neither 
our preacher nor superintendent is here. That was 
quite a speech Bro. Enterprise made last Sunday 
about the meeting, wasn't it? He talked as if this 
was the most important meeting of the church. 
What was that he said about the heart? 

Miss J. — He said that the Workers' Conference 
was the heart of the Bible school. I wonder just 
what he meant. 

(Group conversation on every subject but the 
work of the church; 8:15 door bell rings, and Mr. 
Longnecker answers.) 

(Enter Mr. Isur Doolittle.) 

Mr. Doolittle (with nod to Mr. L. ; he shakes his 
hand, and says to all) — Good evening, folks. 1 
must be a little late. How is everybody? (He 
looks around, smiling graciously at all.) How is 
our hostess to-night? 

Mrs. L. — Very well, thank you. How is Mrs. 
Doolittle? 

Mr. Doo. — I guess she's all right, although she 
has been complaining a little. It seems she has 
104 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

never fully recovered from the effects of the influ- 
enza which she had last winter. (Addressing him- 
self to all) : It is strange that Bro. Enterprise 
hasn't come; he seemed especially anxious that we 
should not postpone our meeting any longer. We 
are ten days overtime now. (They all talk at once, 
while Mr. Doolittle seats himself.) 

(After brief conversation, Mr. Doolittle arises.) 

Mr. Doo. — It is nearly 8:30. If the meeting will 
come to order, I guess we might as well begin, and 
maybe Bro. Enterprise will come later. 

Miss June — I am sure that he is coming; he must 
have been unexpectedly delayed. 

Mr. Doo. — Mrs. Down, will you read the minutes 
of the last meeting? 

Mrs. Down — I was not here at the last meeting. 
I understand Miss Merrill took the minutes; but 
she is not here, and they have not been given to me. 
They should be put in the book. 

Mr. Doo. — They can be read at the next meeting. 
"What is the first piece of business to be attended to? 

(A brief silence.) 

Mrs. D. (rising) — I have been thinking that we 
ought to have a new secretary's book. The one I 
now have has been used for several years, and when 
I received it it was about full and the minutes 
were all mixed up. 

Mr. L. (remaining seated) — What would such a 
book cost? 

105 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



Mrs. D. — I don't know. I should imagine about 
75 cents or $1. 

Mrs. P. — Mr. Doolittle, how much have we in the 
treasury ? 

Mr. Doo. — I don 't remember just how much there 
is now. Mr. Morris is not here; but it seems to 
me there is a balance of nearly $20, or thereabouts. 
Does anybody know? 

Miss J. — I believe the balance is now $18.66, 
since paying for our last supply of lesson helps. 

Mr. L. — I move that the secretary be allowed to 
buy a new book, and that it be paid for by the 
Sunday school. 

Somebody — I second the motion. 

Mr. Doo — It has been moved and seconded that — 
how did you state that motion, Mr. Longnecker? 

Mr. L. — That the secretary be allowed to buy a 
new book at the expense of the Sunday school. 

Mr. Doo. — You have all heard the motion. All 
those in favor of this, make it known by rising. 

(All rise.) 

Mr. Doo. — It is so ordered. (All become seated.) 
Is there any other business? 

(Another brief silence.) 

Miss June — Yes. Not long ago I read in a 
paper that leaflets and special helps on Sun- 
day-school work could be obtained, for a few cents, 
by writing to (mention your State or district) 
Bible-school office. I sent for leaflets on Primary 
106 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



work, which I found simply splendid. These leaflets 
offered several suggestions, which would greatly 
help mo in my work, if the school would make it 
possible for me to carry them out. One of these 
suggested two things which I have wanted for a 
long time — a separate room of our own, which wo 
can make attractive for the children, and small 
chairs, so that their feet can touch the floor. Of 
course, it would cost something ; but don 't you think 
we could at least fix up such a room in the base- 
ment, with wooden floors and plenty of light to 
make it comfortable and cheerful? For my part, 
I am willing to do whatever I can to help make 
this possible. I would like to know what the rest 
of you think about it. 

Mrs. P. — It seems to me that it would be mighty 
expensive to attempt to fix up such a place, and, 
anyway, such a plan would take them out of the 
auditorium. I believe the children ought to be 
made to attend the preaching service of the church. 
You can't get them to do that if you let them get 
in the habit of meeting some place else. As for the 
chairs, it is my opinion that we have more chairs 
now than we are using, and I don't know but that 
the chairs we have are better for the children than 
smaller ones. If they had smaller ones, they would 
make more noise shuffling their feet on the floor 
and moving the chairs around. There is still plenty 
of room where they are now. 
107 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



(Door bell rings; Mr. L. answers.) 

(Enter Bro. Enterprise.) 

Bro. Enterprise — Good evening, Bro. Longnecker. 
Good evening, everybody. 

Mr. Doo. — Glad you got here, Bro. Enterprise; 
you are just in time. 

Bro. Ent. — You must all pardon my unavoidable 
delay. I regret very much that I am late; but just 
as I was leaving the dinner table, I received a phone 
message that Sam Kennett had been injured at the 
f>hops, and they wanted me to take him to his home. 
It was not necessary for him to be sent to the hos- 
pital, since it was only a fracture. I see, however, 
that you are getting along very nicely without me, 
so just go on with the meeting. 

(He seats himself in a proffered chair.) 

Mr. Doo. — We were just discussing a suggestion 
of Miss June's, about having a separate room and 
small chairs for the infant class. Miss June seems 
to think that the class ought not to meet in the 
main auditorium. What do you think about it? 

Bro. Ent. — Of course, I don't know just what the 
discussion has been, but I think that is a mighty 
fine suggestion. The Primary children should have 
their own room, where they can learn to sing songs 
better adapted to their age, and where a worship 
program may be planned for them in which they 
may have a part. That is certainly the way used 
by all up-to-date schools. 
108 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



Mrs. D. — But where will we find the room? All 
we have besides the main room are the two small 
rooms back of the auditorium, and the Junior boys 
are meeting in one of them now. 

Mrs. P. — There is only the one class, is there not, 
Laura? 

Miss J. — Yes, we now have only one; but the 
class should be divided into about three. It is 
almost impossible to hold their attention when they 
are all there. I can not get close to them, because 
they are seated on those long benches. Then, too 
(looking at Mr. Longnecker with a smile), Mr. 
Longnecker, while teaching the ladies' class, talks 
so loudly and makes so many gestures that they 
watch him most of the time. 

Mrs. P. — Why not let the Junior boys have the 
choir's place on the platform, and give their room 
to these children? 

Miss J. — Impossible! That would be no better 
than we now have, and much worse for the Junior 
boys. Those rooms are entirely too small. Even 
though we Should divide the Primary class into 
only two classes, each one would be larger than the 
class of boys, and too large for either one of those 
rooms. 

Bro. Ent. — I fear Miss June is right in what she 

says. We need more classrooms. In fact, the ideal 

way would be to have a separate classroom for each 

class in the school; but, of course, that is not pos- 

109 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



sible now. I suggest, however, that we consider 
the advisability of building an annex to the rear, 
which will provide ample room for all classes from 
four years of age to eleven or twelve, including the 
Beginners, Primary and Junior classes we now have, 
and those we hope to add in the near future. Pro- 
vision might be made for the Intermediate girls, 
also. This addition could be so arranged that it 
might be entered from the church room through 
doors leading off from the smaller adjoining rooms. 
Such an arrangement would take care of our needs 
for awhile at least. I am hoping that some day 
we may have a new church building, providing mod- 
ern equipment for the church school. But if we 
find we can not have an annex, possibly the base- 
ment might be made to serve the purpose by put- 
ting in a wooden floor and fixing up the walls. My 
own judgment, however, is that the first suggestion 
is by far the better. 

Mrs. L. — Perhaps we should have more room; 
but either suggestion would be expensive, and might 
encourage the children to stay away from the church 
services. I don't believe that an annex or anything 
else would keep my girls from giggling! 

Mrs. P. — It will not be long before school is out, 
and vacation begins. You know what that means. 
During the summer months, we usually have only 
about half of our regular attendance, and it seems 
to me that we can wait for these classrooms. It 
110 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



is very likely that during the summer these classes 
will not be so large. In winter it is too cold, and 
in summer it is quite too hot. When the parents 
offer such excuses, what can you expect of the 
children? 

Mr. Doo. — I can hardly see, myself, how we can 
do anything now, and I suggest that we keep this 
in mind, and probably by the next meeting we can 
decide what is the best thing to do. (Looking at 
the clock.) I see that it is getting pretty late; 
I wonder if there is anything else? 

Bro. Ent. — I hope it will be possible to provide 
rooms for these little folks in the near future. We 
want to get them here, and keep them. If we pro- 
vide attractive rooms, there will be no doubt but 
that the classes will grow larger. (Pause.) How 
many folks would be interested in an indoor picnic, 
to bring our dinners here, and talk over the prob- 
lems of our church school? We could make the 
occasion a sort of a reunion and Bible-school rally. 

(Some folks look interested and pleased.) 

Mrs. L. — Just what do you mean, Bro. Enterprise? 

Bro. Ent. — I mean that some day, it might be 
Sunday, or it might not, each family will bring a 
basket for the noon meal. After the dinner, we 
could have a speaker and a discussion of our work. 
We might be able to secure our district Bible-school 
secretary to be with us. I am sure that would cost 
nothing more than his railroad fare and entertain- 
8 111 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

merit while here. Without giving way to frivolity, 
we could make much of the social feature. Each 
ought to know every member of the church, and 
every member- should be interested in the Bible 
school. What do you all think of it? What do 
you think, Mrs. Down? 

Mrs. D. — I think that would be all right. 

Bro. Ent. — Mrs. Pessimus? 

Mrs. P. — We are pretty apt to get a crowd that 
way. Folks will go most omywhere to get some- 
thing to eat. It might be all right. 

Bro. Ent. — Miss June? 

Miss J. — I think that's a good idea! We need 
more meetings of a social nature, that we may 
become better acquainted. I am sure the young 
folks will like the idea. 

Bro. Ent. — Mrs. Longnecker? 

Mrs. L. — Whatever the rest say. 

Bro. Ent. — Mr. Longnecker? 

Mr. L. — We might try it. 

Bro. Ent. — Well, then, suppose we try it, and, if 
you say so, I will write to Bro. Goforth, and see if 
he can come. What do you think, Bro. Doolittle? 

(Minister sits down. Brief pause ensues.) 

Mr. Doo. — Well, we've never had anything like 
that before; but if it will create more interest, I 
am for it. Would you ladies be willing to provide 
the eats? 

(A lively discussion follows.) 
112 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



Mr. Doo. — Just a minute. Maybe we ought to 
take a vote on it. 

Mrs. B. — I move we have an indoor picnic, as 
suggested, and that Bro. Enterprise write to Bro. 
Goforth and see if he can be with us. 

Somebody — I second it. 

Mr. Boo. — Mrs. Bown has moved — well, you have 
all heard the motion — all in favor of it make it 
known by standing. 

(A lively, but unbusinesslike, discussion of plans 
follows.) 

(The hostess then secures quiet, and announces 
that she has invited a friend (or friends) to sing 
a solo (or duet).) 

Song — Any song may be used, preferably one in 
keeping with the pessmistic spirit Of the meeting. 

Mrs. L. — If you will come into the dining-room, 
we will serve light refreshments. (All start talking 
about eating again, as they leave the platform.) 
Curtain 



113 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



ACT II.— BUILDING UP THE SYSTEM 

Scene 1 — Prescription 

(This scene should not take more than ten to 
twelve minutes.) 

Time 

The day after the picnic, the Sunday-school spe- 
cialist having been urged to stay over two or three 
days to discuss the local work. 

Furnishings 

Several benches or rows of chairs placed side- 
ways toward the audience. A piano, table (upon 
which books and leaflets will . be placed) , and a 
blackboard. 

Setting 

The Sunday-school specialist conducting a con- 
ference in the church. He gives a short talk on 
the "Workers' Conference," which he calls "The 
Heart of the Church School." The heart is an 
organ of our physical body which pumps blood 
114 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

through the veins and arteries to build up worn-out 
tissue. The Workers' Conference is an organ of 
the church school to send a knowledge of Christ 
and His Spirit by means of plans and methods 
throughout the body of Christ (the church), the 
community, and the whole world. The following 
model program should be outlined on the black- 
board, and briefly explained by the speaker as 
a part of his address: 

SUGGESTIVE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 
PROGRAM 

(To be written on blackboard.) 

1. Devotional Period 

(Ten to fifteen minutes.) 

Devotional Theme — " Pressing Forward' ' (Phil. 
2: 7-14). 

1. Moment of silent prayer; 

2. An evening prayer. 

3. Devotional hymn. 

4. Appropriate Scripture reading, or quotations 
of Scripture on the theme by members. 

5. Special music. 

2. Business Period 

(Not more than fifteen minutes.) 

1. Reading of minutes of previous meeting. 

2. Statement of order of day. 

115 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

3. Recording Secretary's attendance report. 

4. Financial Secretary's report. 

5. Classification (Absentee Supt.) Secretary's re? 
port. 

6. Corresponding Secretary's report. 

7. Missionary Superintendent's report. 

8. Extension superintendent's report. 

9. Reports of committees (a), (b), (c), etc. 

10. Report of Superintendent of instruction. 
All reports should be brief, and in writing. 

3. Conference Period 

(Twenty to thirty minutes.) 

Conference Theme — "The Formulation of Defi- 
nite Aims and a Program for Carrying Them Out." 

1. Children's Division Workers meet in one room. 

2. Young People's Division Workers meet in an- 
other room. 

3. Adult Division Workers meet in separate room. 
These divisional conferences are to be presided 

over by their respective superintendents. The pur- 
pose is to discuss department porblems, and plan 
a program of work for the ensuing month. A brief 
report should be prepared by each department, to 
be presented at the general Workers' Conference, 
stating work done and work planned. 

4. Reassembly for reports from Divisional Super- 
intendents. 

5. Discussion of immediate school problems. 

116 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



6. Open conference on theme of the evening, with 
presentation of plans. 

4. Educational Period 

(Twenty minutes.) 

Suggestions. 

1. Book review, or 

2. Current events bearing on task of the church. 

3. Model lesson. 

4. Eeport of one who has visited some other school. 

5. Speaker from some other school. 

6. Stereopticon slides on special phases of the 
work. 

7. Convention reports. 

8. Tests or drills. 

(The speaker might be interrupted occasionally 
by a question, indicating interest in the subject, 
and to give the effect of a conference. Upon com- 
pletion of the talk, every one acts very enthusiastic, 
and some one should exclaim : ' ' That is just what 
our school needs l' f ) 

Curtain 



117 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



Scene 2 — Taking the Medicine 

Setting 

A Workers' Conference in same room as Scene 1. 
THE EIGHT WAY. Secretary seated at the table. 
Superintendent holds copy of carefully prepared 
program. 

Furnishings 
Same as Scene 1. 

Time 

Beginning promptly at time called (7:30). A 
regular Workers' Conference night, about three 
months after the time of Scene 1. This scene should 
take about twenty minutes. 

(Curtain rises with fifteen or twenty workers 
talking in groups about church work.) 

(The Workers ' Conference is usually preceded by 
a conference supper. The presiding officer may 
make some reference to ' ' the supper which we have 
so greatly enjoyed, all thanks to the Loyal Philathea 
class, who acted as caterers," or in some other 
way indicate that the group had just partaken of 
118 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



a social meal together. If the platform is large 
enough, the workers may be seated around the table, 
and the conference conducted thus.) 

Mr. Progress, new superintendent (rapping on 
table) — The meeting will please come to order. 
(Quiet immediately follows.) 

Mr. Prog. — Bro. , will you lead us in prayer 

and thanksgiving to God? 

(If a player is chosen to lead this prayer, address 
by real name. The audience should participate in 
the devotional period, since there should be no other 
program for the evening.) 

(Some one, previously chosen, comes forward, un- 
announced, and prepares to conduct a brief devo- 
tional period.) 

Devotional Leader — The theme for our conference 
this evening is ' ' Pressing On. ' ' Let us now sing, as 
a hymn of praise, one verse of No. . 

(All sing reverently.) 

Devotional Leader — Beads distinctly and with 
feeling, Phil. 3 : 7-14. 

Special Music — Any inspirational song may be 
used. If a quartette can furnish a number, it will 
add to the attractiveness of the program. 

Mr. Prog. — Mr. Keeords, will you please read the 
minutes of the May meeting? 

Mr. Becords (comes to the front, and stands at 
his place by the table. He reads, speaking dis- 
tinctly, the following report) : 
119 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



Recording Secretary's Report 

The Educational Department of the 

church school, held its regular monthly Work- 
ers' Conference in the prayer-meeting room of 
the church, the last Thursday evening in May. 
The Superintendent of Instruction, as chairman, 
presided over the meeting. After a devotional 
program, conducted by Mrs. Down, the minutes of 
the previous meeting were read and approved. 

The following reports were presented in writing, 
were approved, and are on file with your secretary: 

1. The Recording Secretary — (Reported gain of 
twenty in average attendance over preceding month.) 

2. The Financial Secretary — (Debt paid; balance 
of $37.23 in church treasury to credit of Sunday- 
school fund). 

3. Special Committee on Equipment — (Announced 
purchase of three dozen chairs and one sand-table). 

4. Committee on Literature reported conservation 
of material and adoption of Intermediate Graded 
Lessons. 

5. Superintendent of Instruction expressed his ap- 
preciation of the cordial co-operation of the workers. 

Oral reports were received from: 

1. The Classification Secretary. 

2. The Corresponding Secretary. 

3. The Missionary Superintendent, who reported 
thirty-three new subscriptions to our missionary 
paper. 

120 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



4. The Extension Superintendent, who recom- 
mended that we study ' i A Survey of Religious Edu- 
cation in the Local Church,' ' by W. C. Bower. 

It was moved and seconded that all other matters 
of detail business should hereafter be referred to 
the Cabinet; that their actions should be reported 
by the superintendent, subject to the approval of 
the Workers' Conference. The motion carried 
unanimously by acclamation. 

After a fifteen-minute period, during which the 
divisional conferences were held in separate rooms, 
the Workers' Conference reassembled, and each di- 
visional superintendent made an oral report of the 
progress, present status and future needs of their 
respective divisions. Each group reported its ap- 
proval of our new Conference program. 

Mr. Dudley, from the Olive Street Church, gave 
a twenty-minute talk on ' ' Modem Methods of Our 
Teaching Task. ' ' He pointed out that the teaching 
of God's word is a common task in which all 
churches can unite, especially in regard to the best 
and approved educational methods of to-day. He 
recommended the conversational method of teach- 
ing for young people. 

After a vote of thanks had been extended Mr. 
Dudley for his address, a motion to adjourn was 
carried, and a benediction was pronounced by Bro. 
Enterprise. Respectfully submitted, 

Mr. Careful Records, Rec. Sec 
121 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

Mr. Prog. — If there are no corrections, the min- 
utes will stand approved as read. We will now 
hear the report of our Attendance Secretary. 

Attendance Secretary (reads distinctly the fol- 
lowing report, and then gives copy to the Recording 
Secretary) : 

Attendance Secretary's Report 

Your Attendance Secretary begs leave to submit 
the following attendance report for the month of 
May: 

1. The total attendance was 581 

A gain of 59 over previous month. 

2. Average weekly attendance _ 147 

A gain of 15 over previous month. 

3. Average attendance same month last year 78 

A gain of 69, or 88 per cent. 

A statement of departments is as follows: 

May Gain over Gain over 

Average Last Same Mo. 

Department. Enrollment. Attendance. Month. Last Yr. 

Cradle Roll 12 

Beginners _ 12 7 1 7 

Primary 55 38 1 (loss) 13 

Junior 24 19 6 9 

Intermediate 20 16 3 9 

Senior 18 11 3 2 

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THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

Young People's 25 16 1 16 

Adult 63 37 1 5 

Home 8 3 18 

Total 237 147 15 69 

(The above departmental attendance statement 
should not be read with report at meeting. It is 
given here merely for reference and as a sugges- 
tive special help for departmental superintend- 
ents.) 

4. A Home Department member is counted pres- 
ent when the lesson has been studied, an offering 
made, and both reported before service begins. 

5. The Primary Department had the largest av- 
erage attendance this month. 

6. The Junior Department had the greatest gain 
in membership over last month. 

7. The creation of the Young People's Depart- 
ment, since their average attendance is sixteen, gives 
them the honor of having the largest gain over 
same month last year. 

Respectfully submitted, 
Mr. Tend Toit, Attendance Sec. 
Mr. Prog. — If there are no corrections, the report 
will stand approved as read. We will now hear the 
report of our Financial Secretary, Mr. Zollars. 

Mr. Z. — (Reads distinctly the following written 
report, and then gives the copy to the secretary.) 
123 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

Financial Secretary's Report 

Keceipts. 

Carried forward $37.23 

Beginners Dept. _ $0.73 

Primary Dept ~ 3.80 

Junior Dept - 3.92 

Intermediate Dept 4.61 

Senior Dept „ ~ 3.38 

Young People's Dept 2.67 

Adult Dept — 8.46 

(These details need not be read in 
the meeting unless requested. These are 
given here as a suggestive help.) 
Total Sunday Offerings $29.67 

Gain, $5.91 over last month. 

Special Offering _ _ 5.00 

From Contingent Fund of Church. 25.00 



Grand Total _- $96.90 

The average weekly offering is $7.42, or 5c. per 
member, a gain of ^c. over last month. 

The average weekly offering last year was $2.73, 
or 3%c. per member, showing a gain of $4.69, or 
l%c. per member. 

The Adult Department gave the largest amount, 
but the Home Department gave the most per mem- 
ber. 

124 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



Disbursements. 

Blackboard _ '. $11.00 

Postage and Printing 9.25 

Balance on Literature Debt 73.38 

Total Disbursements $93.63 

Balance in School Fund of Church Treas- 
ury 3.27 

We have made no effort to give a detailed state- 
ment, but such may be had at any time desired. 
While our balance is not large, it is a balance on 
hand after our two-year debt has been paid in full. 

We have used the Duplex Envelope system in the 
Children's Division nearly six weeks. It is just be- 
ginning to show favorable results. It teaches the 
children to give systematically. They are learning 
to give as much for others as for themselves. It 
seems to me that our great need now is some plan 
to get the adults to give in proportion to their abil- 
ity. I recommend that we start a program of edu- 
cation on tithing, to be conducted by Bro. Enter- 
prise. Eespectfully submitted, 

Mr. Zollars, Financial See. 

Mr. Prog. — This is a good report. Mr. Zollars 
not only keeps an accurate record of all moneys, 
but since taking this position he has constantly 
shown us, as he has in this report to-night, what we 
may learn from figures. The Duplex Envelope sys- 
125 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

tern in the Children's Division is proving to be quite 
a success. I am glad that our attention is now 
called to the need for more education along the line 
of liberal giving among the adults in the Bible 
school. 

Mr. Vision — I move that this report be accepted 
as read, and that the recommendations be placed 
upon the minutes. 

(Motion will be seconded and carried by a vote.) 

Mr. Prog. — May we now hear the report of our 
Classification Secretary, or, as we have decided to 
call this officer, our Absentee Superintendent? 

Miss Grades — (reads distinctly the following re- 
port, which contains a statement of some progress 
in checking up on absentees, and some plans for 
future work) : 

Absentee Superintendent's Report 

Your Absentee Superintendent begs leave to sub- 
mit the following report for the month of May: 

One new Primary class — teacher, Miss Ella Jones. 

One new Senior class — teacher, Mr. Cordial. 

One new Young People '& class — teacher, Mr. Loyal. 

Enrollment at first of month 224 

New members 18 

Removals _._ 5 

Net Increase _ __ 13 

Present Enrollment _ 237 

126 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



' * Follow-up Work. ' ' 

Personal calls 12 

Phone calls 27 

Letters or cards 9 

Eeported calls 21 

Eeported phone calls 11 

Eeported letters or cards 32 

Total Messages 112 

Eespectfully submitted, 
Miss S. S. Grades, Absentee Supt. 
Mr. Prog. — This is an interesting ioport. When 
Miss Grades accepted this position, our school was 
■very poorly organized. When we tried to grade it 
properly, we were confronted with the problem of 
teachers. However, with the help of Bro. Enter- 
prise and Mr. Vision, we have found some who have 
agreed to teach. I am also happy to announce that 
a class of seven will begin studying the New Stand- 
ard Teacher-training Course at the Bible-school hour 
next Sunday. So, then, we now have two training 
classes, one for those who are now teaching, which 
meets each Thursday night, and one for those who 
are willing to prepare for future service in our 
school, meeting on Sunday morning. These are all 
steps in the right direction. If our plans are faith- 
fully executed, we will soon have a well-graded, 
well-equipped Bible school, which will lead many to 
an acceptance of Jesus Christ as a Saviour, and will 
9 127 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

help others in their Christian life. What is your 
pleasure in regard to this report? 

Mrs. Down (rising) — Mr. Chairman, I move that 
the report be accepted, and filed with the Recording 
Secretary. 

(This motion will be seconded and properly acted 
upon.) 

Mr. Prog. — It seems to have been unanimous 
Mrs. Down, would you tell us at this time what cor- 
respondence you have had during the past month? 

Mrs. D. — I have a letter from the Foreign Mis- 
sionary Society, stating some definite needs. I have 
read this letter to our Missionary Superintendent, 
Mrs. Messenger. Likewise, a letter from our Dis- 
trict Bible-school Secretary, calling our attention 
to the fact that our school has not made an offering 
for national missionary and Bible-school work. The 
regular day is Thanksgiving Sunday, which came 
before our work was reorganized; but now that 
things are going along better than they used to, I 
am sure we will want to give something to this work 
before the missionary year closes. 

Mrs. Mess. — An offering has been sent in since 
the letter from the Missionary Society has been re- 
ceived. It was the best offering we have ever made. 
Of course, we must give something to Home Mis- 
sions this year, because we want to have some part 
in the whole task of the church. We are getting 
well now. Our school used to have heart trouble; 
128 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



it would pound on some things pretty hard, but it 
did not grow as it should, because of lack of con- 
sistent work along definite lines. We have never 
given to home missionary work, but I am sure that 
from now on we will support the whole task. Each 
school that makes an offering to Foreign Missions, 
Home Missions and Benevolence, is known as a 
unanimous school. Since our heart action is be- 
coming adjusted now, and we are at least normal, 
there is no reason why we should not reach this aim. 

Mr. V. — Of course we will, and, what is more, we 
can become a standard school this year. We want 
to be one of the standard schools, not only because 
we will all enjoy being classed with those schools 
which will receive special mention and recognition, 
but also because a definite standard of this kind 
helps us to grow symmetrically. Let us never for- 
get that our chief object is to lead boys and girls, 
and men and women, to an acceptance of Jesus 
Christ, and to train them in Christian service. This 
standard and all our methods are only a means to 
the end. As Bro. Goforth said, they are the chan- 
nels by which we may send the spirit of Christ 
through the community and through the world. 

Mr. Prog. — You are quite right in all that you 
say; but I must ask that we keep close to the sub- 
ject at hand. Mrs. Down was reporting correspon- 
dence which referred to missionary offerings. We 
have learned that as yet no home missionary offer- 
129 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



ing has been mada What are your wishes in thia 
regard? 

Bro. Ent. — I move, Mr. Chairman, that we express 
ourselves as unanimously in favor of lending sup- 
port to all our organized missionary work. And, 
further, that Mrs. Messenger, as our Missionary 
Superintendent, be appointed as chairman of a 
committee, consisting of Mr. Progress and Mr. 
Vision, to offer recommendations for a systematic 
method of missionary instruction and giving, so 
that this school may have a part in every phase of 
the missionary task of the church. 

(This shall be voted upon in the proper manner.) 

Mr. Prog. — May we now have a report from our 
Missionary Superintendent? 

Mrs. Messenger (brief oral report, mentioning 
success in missionary instruction) — And I am glad 
that we have taken definite and unanimous action, 
expressing the desire to do our utmost in order to 
fulfill the Great Commission. 

Mr. Prog. — Mr. Vision, we would now like to 
hear from you as our Extension Superintendent. 

Extension Superintendent's Report 

Your Extension Superintendent begs leave to 
report that he recently met with a committee from 
the Church Board, and together they are working 
out a plan to encourage the attendance of the older 
organized class members at the evening church ser- 
130 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

vices. Wei hope to be able to report in detail at the 
next conference. 

I beg leave to recommend that we organize our 
Intermediates and Seniors into separate depart- 
ments, allowing each to be self-governing. These 
two departments have been meeting together, be- 
cause of lack of room; but we have secured the 
use of a room in the annex, and separate depart- 
ments are now practical. 

I also recommend that we send four of our young 
people to the Lake Geneva Training School, offering 
the opportunity to the four who make the highest 
record between now and the opening of the training 
school. 

(Report is acted upon.) 

Mr. Prog. — Friends, we are learning to do things 
right. It is a joy to work with people who have 
a big vision and a program that is a challenge to 
the best that the church can give. I wish now to 
call your attention to a brief summary of our 
month's work, and to offer a few recommendations. 
(He reads a brief report he himself prepares.) 

Mr. Long. — Mr. Chairman, I move that our super- 
intendent's report be accepted and filed with the 
secretary, and that we take steps to form definite 
aims and a tentative program for the coming year's 
work, as he suggests. It is understood that the 
workers of each division are to work out the details 
of their part of the program. 
131 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



(This motion should be voted upon.) 

Mr. Prog. — I believe that any other business there 
may be can be referred to the Cabinet; unless there 
is something else which shall come to our attention 
here, we shall proceed with our program. 

We will now have our divisional conferences. 
The theme for discussion this month is, "The 
Formulation of Definite Aims, and a Program to 
Carry Them Out." We will reassemble promptly 
within fifteen minutes. 

(The conference divides into three groups; the 
Adult Division workers remain on platform.) 

Curtain Drawn for an Instant Only 

(The workers reassemble, and hear brief reports 
from the superintendents of the Children's, Young 
People's and Adult Divisions. The Superintendent 
of Instruction meanwhile is taking notes. Upon 
completion of reports, he suggests definite aims for 
the school for the coming year, including material 
from reports given by divisional groups. After a 
brief, but lively, discussion, the conference adopts 
these aims.) 

Mr. Prog. — We will now have the pleasure of 
hearing an illustrated lecture on ' ' Boy Life. ' ■ Mr. 
Eoy Wever, from Eapid Falls, is with us, and will 
show us John L. Alexander's excellent stereopticon 
slides. Let us retire to the main auditorium. 
Curtain 
132 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



ACT III.— RECUPERATED AND ON THE 
ACTIVE LIST 

In the model school, the departments, or divisions, 
have their separate opening services. This fifteen- 
minute MODEL WORSHIP PROGRAM is suitable 
for the Young People's or Adult department. 

Setting 

No players on platform except the Superintendent 
of Instruction, Mr. Steady Progress, the Chorister, 
Mr. Abel Leader, and the Pianist. The audience 
witnessing the play becomes the general assembly 
of the department, and it should participate in the 
singing and worship, as suggested in the opening 
period of Act II., Scene 2. This information should 
be inserted in any printed program prepared for 
the occasion. 

Furnishings 

Platform and equipment, including piano; pos- 
sibly blackboard with last Sunday's attendance re- 
port by classes. No loose song-books or papers 
133 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



should be on platform, pulpit or table; neatness 
should prevail. 

Time 

Beginning promptly on time New Year's Sunday, 
about one year from time of Act I. 

Suggestive Program 

Hymn — Some familiar selection within range of 
average voices. Such songs as follow are always 
appropriate for the school: 

"More about Jesus I Would Know." 

1 ' I Love to Tell the Story. ' > 

1 ' True-hearted, Whole-hearted. ' ' 

1 ' Oh, Scatter Seeds of Loving Deeds. ' ' 

* ' Saviour, Like a Shepherd Lead Us. ' ' 

1 ' Jesus Calls Us O 'er the Tumult. ' ' 

Invocation — Bro. Modern Enterprise. 

Responsive Reading — Led by the Superintendent, 
Mr. Steady Progress. 

Hymn — Led by Mr. Abel Leader. 

Announcements by Mr. Progress — Friends, we are 
entering into the new year as a school, better 
equipped and larger in numbers than at any pre- 
vious time in the history of the church. As we 
turn our faces toward a new year of opportunity 
for Christian service, I am sure that I voice the 
feeling of all when I say that our chief concern is 
that we may make our school truly efficient in its 
teaching task, and we want our department to do 
134 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



faithfully and well its part. By the splendid co- 
operation and consecrated service of our faithful 
•workers, we have made remarkable progress this 
past year. However, we have merely recovered from 
a spiritual apathy and an organic inefficiency which 
has made progress impossible. Now that we have 
recuperated, as it were, we have secured full posses- 
sion of our forces, and are just now ready for real 
work. 

Reports and Announcements — (Reports should be 
very brief — one comparing attendance for the day 
with that of a year ago. The Interclass Committee 
may announce a get-together social. The Recrea- 
tional Committee may call for volunteers to form a 
basket-ball team. The Personal Work Committee 
may announce a prayer -meeting at some invalid's 
home. ) 

Missionary Story — Mrs. Messenger (not more than 
five minutes). 

Missionary prayer by some one previously chosen. 
(For workers in field mentioned in the story.) 

Special music — By a soloist, quartet. 

Class Assembly — Bell should ring immediately 
when hymn is finished, and piano should continue 
playing. Instead of this being the signal for classes 
to assemble, as is usually the case, it will be taken, 
on this occasion, to mean the completion of the play 
and adjournment of the audience. 
Curtain 
135 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 



A SUGGESTIVE LIST OF BOOKS FOR 
THE WORKERS' LIBRARY 

For Children's Division Workers: 

The Unfolding Life. — Lamoreaux. 

A Study of Child Nature. — Harrison. 

The Pupil and the Teacher. — Weigle. 

How to Tell Stories to Children. — Bryant. 

Handwork in the Sunday School. — Littlefield. 

What ShaU We Do Now ?— Canfield. 

How to Conduct a Cradle Roll Department — 
Curtiss. 

How to Conduct a Beginners Department. — Lewis. 

How to Conduct a Primary Department. — Water- 
man. 

How to Conduct a Junior Department. — Van 
Voorhis. 

Stories and Story Telling. — St. John. 

The Beginners Department. — Oglevee. 

The Beginners Worker and Work. — Beard. 

The Primary Worker and Work. — Thomas. 

The Junior Worker and Work. — Baldwin. 

The Cradle Roll Department. — Sudlow. 

The Juniors. — Baldwin. 

The Dramatization of Bible Stories. — Miller. 
137 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

For Young People's Division Workers: 

The Youth and the Church. — Maus. 

The Girl and Her Religion. — Slattery. 

The Boy Problem. — Forbush. 

Training the Boy. — McKeever. 

The Secondary Division. — Alexander. 

Organized for Service. — Alexander. 

The Intermediate Department. — Foster. 

The Teens and the Rural Sunday School. — Alex- 
ander. 

Training the Christian Reserves. — Ream. 

Leaders of Girls. — Espey. 

The Girl in Her Teens. — Slattery. 

A Boy's Religion. — Hughes. 

Just Over the Hill.— Slattery. 

The Senior Boy. — Foster. 

The Boy and the Church. — Foster. 

Leadership Activities for Girls. — Moxey. 

The Boy in the Sunday School. — Alexander. 

Guiding Boys Over Fool Hill. — McKinney. 

The Minister and the Boy. — Hoben. 

Problems of the Intermediate and Senior Teach- 
ers. — Foster. 

Religious Education of Adolescents. — Richardson. 
For Adult Division Workers: 

The Teaching of Bible Classes. — See. 

The Adult Worker and His Work. — Barclay. 
138 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

101 Things to Do. — Moninger. 

The Adult Class. — Pearee. 

The Manhood of the Master. — Fosdick. 

Adult Class Study.— Wood. 

Adults in the Sunday School. — Bocard. 

Methods of Reaching Men. — Kirby. 

Recruiting the Bible Class. — Harrison. 

Training for Personal Evangelism. — Harrison. 

The Why and How of the Organized Class. — 

Bomberger. 
Social Activities for Men and Boys. — Chesley. 
The Ideal Adult Class in the Sunday School. — 

Wells. 
For Borne Department Workers: 

The Sunday School and the Home. — Brown. 
The Home Department of To-day. — Stebbins. 
The Home Department of the Sunday School. — 

Forbes. 
The Home Department. — Karnell. 
Becreation : 

Ice Breakers. — Geister. 

Games for the Playground, Home, School and 

Gymnasium. — Bancroft. 
Camping and Outing Activities. — Cheley-Baker. 
Games and Plays for Children. — Smith. 
Camping for Boys. — Gibson. 
Recreation and the Church. — Gates. 
139 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

General : 

The Church-school. — Athearn. 

The Sunday School Organized for Service. — 
Lawrance. 

How to Eun a Little Sunday School. — Little- 
field. 

The School in the Modern Church. — Cope. 

A National System of Education. — Athearn. 

Religious Education in the Family. — Cope. 

How to Conduct a Sunday School. — Lawrance. 

The Present Day Sunday School. — Burroughs. 

A Working Plan for the Church School. — Henry. 

Principles and Ideals for the Sunday School. — 
Burton and Matthews. 

A Manual for Sunday School "Workers ' Confer- 
ences. — Staebler. 

Special Days in the Sunday School. — Lawrance. 

Making the Old Sunday School New. — Miller. 

How to Run a Little Sunday School. — Furgesson. 

Sunday School Officers' Manual. — Brown. 

Plans for Sunday School Evangelism. — Brown. 

The Superintendent and His Work. — Brown. 

The Training of Sunday School Teachers and 
Officers.— McElfresh. 

The Training Class. — Kearney. 

Guide for Teachers of Training Classes. — Slattery. 

Graded Social Service in the Sunday School. — 
Hutchins. 

140 



THE WORKERS' CONFERENCE 

The Graded Sunday School in Principle and Prac- 
tice. — Meyer. 

After the Primary, What? — McKinney. 

How to Teach Eeligion. — Betts. 

How to Become an Efficient Sunday School Teach- 
er. — McKeever. 

The Making of a Teacher. — Brumbaugh. 

Talks to the Sunday School Teacher. — Weigle. 

Learning to Teach from the Master Teacher. — 
Marquis. 



141 



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